PNoy sends condolences to US massacre victims' families [1]

ABS-CBNnews.com | 12/15/2012 2:40 PM

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MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino on Saturday sent his condolences to the families of the victims in the school shooting in Connecticut, USA.

"At this time of the deepest mourning over the tragic loss of life in Connecticut, I extend the deepest sympathy and solidarity to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary School," he said in a press statement.

"Together with the entire Filipino people, we stand beside you with bowed heads, yet in deep admiration over the manner in which the American people have reached out to comfort the afflicted, and to search for answers that will give meaning and hope to this grim event," he added.

"We pray for healing, and that this heartbreak will never be visited on any community ever again," Aquino said.

A heavily-armed gunman slaughtered 20 schoolchildren were slaughtered at a suburban elementary school in Connecticut on Friday, ultimately killing at least 28 people including himself in the one of the worst mass shootings in US history.

The 20-year-old gunman was identified by law enforcement sources as Adam Lanza, who had attended the school as a youngster.

Authorities found 18 children and 7 adults, including the gunman, dead at the school, and 2 children were pronounced dead later after being taken to a hospital.

Another adult was found dead at a related crime scene in Newtown, bringing the toll to 28, state police Lieutenant Paul Vance said.

Police would not confirm or deny media reports that the person was Lanza's mother, Nancy.

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Cuisia Jr. and embassy staff have been making inquiries [12] to Newtown officials to determine if there were any Filipinos involved in the tragedy. - with a report from Reuters