Gov't monitoring hostage crisis in Sydney

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government is monitoring unfolding hostage crisis at a cafe in Australia's Sydney today, an official said.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also called on Filipinos in Australia to be calm and vigilant.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Australia in this time of crisis and we hope that this unfortunate predicament will be resolved soon in a peaceful manner," Jose told a press briefing.

The spokesman said the DFA has no available figure on the number of Philippine nationals living in Sydney, adding Manila has not received information of any Filipino involved in the incident.

The New South Wales police of Sydney, Jose said, have yet to ascertain the nationalities of the hostages.

"We urge the members of the Filipino community in New South Wales to remain calm and vigilant as the Australian police continue to handle the situation," Jose said.

The hostage-taker's motivation was unknown but two of his hostages at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe were seen pressing a black flag with Arabic writing against the shop's window.