DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:

NOTHING CAN DESCRIBE THE SHOCK AND HORROR OF ALL HUMANITY IN THE FACE OF THE UNIMAGINABLE ACTS OF TERROR INFLICTED ON THE UNITED STATES TODAY. ALL MANKIND IS DIMINISHED BY THE EXTREME EVIL WE SAW UNLEASHED ON YOUR CITES. THE MINDLESS VIOLENCE EXCEEDS OUR MOST EXTREME FEARS ABOUT ORGANIZED TERRORISM.

THE FILIPINO PEOPLE EXTEND THEIR MOST PROFOUND SYMPATHIES TO ALL THE VICTIMS OF THIS UNSPEAKABLE CRIME. WE SHARE YOUR GRIEF AT THIS MOMENT OF UNPRECEDENTED TRAGEDY. WE EXTEND WHATEVER SUPPORT WE CAN MUSTER AT THIS MOST HORRIFIC MOMENT.

I HAVE ASKED OUR SECURITY AUTHORITIES TO IMMEDIATELY SECURE ALL U.S. FACILITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES. WE ARE SPARING NO EFFORT IN PROTECTING ALL U.S. NATIONALS WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION. WE WILL HELP IN WHATEVER WAY WE CAN TO STRENGTHEN THE GLOBAL EFFORT TO CRUSH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BARBARIC ACT.

ORGANIZED TERRORISM THREATENS NO COUNTRY IN PARTICULAR. IT IS A SPECTER THAT THREATENS EVERY THREAD OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY. ALL HUMANITY MUST NOW JOIN HANDS TO DEFEND DECENCY AND DEFEAT INSANITY THAT HAS INVADED OUR AGE.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE NOW IN PRAYER FOR GOOD TO TRIUMPH OVER EVIL. YOUR PAIN IS OURS, TOO.

THIS IS A MOMENT THAT SUMMONS THE BEST IN ALL OF US. THIS WILL BE, WE HOPE, THE DAY THAT MANKIND MUSTERS ITS RESOLVE TO END THE THREAT OF ORGANIZED TERRORISM.

PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCE AND MY MOST ARDENT PRAYERS FOR YOUR PEOPLE. THIS IS A DARK DAY FOR ALL WHO ABIDE BY THE BASIC KINDNESS THAT MAKES COMMUNITIES POSSIBLE AND BROTHERHOOD A DESIRABLE CONDITION.

VERY SINCERELY,
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO.

MY COUNTRYMEN:

I HAVE DIRECTED OUR ARMED FORCES AND THE POLICE TO GO ON A HEIGHTENED STATE OF ALERT TO SECURE ALL VITAL INSTALLATIONS, UTILITIES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

I HAVE DIRECTED OUR EMBASSY IN THE UNITED STATES TO IMMEDIATELY DETERMINE THE IDENTITIES OF FILIPINOS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF THE ATTACKS AND TO EXTEND TO THEM AND THEIR RELATIVES ALL POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

NAKIKIRAMAY AKO AT ANG BUONG SAMBAYANAN SA MGA KAPATID NATIN SA ESTADOS UNIDOS. IPAGDASAL NATIN NA SA LALONG MADALING PANAHON, MASUSUGPO NG MUNDO ANG SALOT NG TERORISMO.