By Genalyn Kabiling

The Philippine government has thanked Pope Francis and other countries for their messages of sympathy and support following the terror attack in Jolo, Sulu.

Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom were among the nations that condemned the twin explosions in a Catholic Church in Jolo that claimed 20 lives.

“I’d like to acknowledge receipt of expressions, of sympathies, condolences and support from many countries of the world in relation to the tragic bombing that caused the lives and injuries to many people, particularly those that I have read from Australia, Canada and Ambassador Daniel Pruce of the Great Britain,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said during a Palace news conference.

“We would like to express our thanks also to our Pope, expressing also his sympathy to us,” he said.

The Pope, who was visiting Panama, earlier asked for prayers for the victims of the terrorist attack on the church in Jolo. The pontiff also called for peace in the region.

“May the Lord, Prince of Peace, convert the hearts of the violent, and grant the inhabitants of that region a peaceful coexistence,” he said.

Panelo, meantime, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to bring the culprits of the brazen terror attack to justice.

“The law will not give them mercy. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth until every killer is placed behind bars. The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will crush them,” he said.

“No amount of terrorism can stop the journey to peace and development in that reason” he added.

Panelo also offered the government’s sympathy to the families of the blast victims. He assured that the affected families would be given assistance by concerned government agencies.

“We condole, express sincerest and heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and we will do everything possible to give justice to those who have perished and all government agencies have been directed to attend to the families,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we will pray for the eternal repose of the souls of those who were killed even as we attend to the injured,” he added.