Philippines issues travel advisory on France

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine embassy in Paris yesterday advised Filipinos in Nice and those who plan to travel to France to exercise vigilance and caution, following the terrorist attack in Nice on July 14.

Filipinos are advised to monitor media and official French government advisories for the latest developments.

They are also advised to contact the embassy through its emergency number +33 6 20 59 25 15.

French authorities also opened a special telephone line for families of victims needing assistance: +33 1 43 17 56 46.

Meanwhile, the French embassy in Manila yesterday held at the Alliance Francaise in Makati City a memorial and minute of silence to remember the victims of the terrorist attack in Nice and stand in solidarity with France against terrorism.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said that no Filipino was reported injured when armed men drove a truck at full speed through a crowd gathered to watch the fireworks display for Bastille Day, the French Independence Day.

A truck plowed into pedestrians during Bastille Day celebrations in the popular French seaside city of Nice Thursday, leaving at least 84 people dead in what French President Francois Hollande called “obviously a terrorist attack.”

Hollande said the deadly toll, which included several children, came after the truck slammed into revelers gathered on a promenade to watch fireworks.

The president of the Nice region, Christian Estrosi, said the truck was loaded with weapons and grenades, and the driver had opened fire on the crowd.