MANILA, Philippines – The French embassy in the Philippines recently observed a minute of silence for the victims of the terror attack in Nice, France.

The minute-long moment of silence was observed on Monday, July 18, in a memorial ceremony at the Alliance Française de Manille. 

French Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou said the Nice attack is against “our common civilization.”

“We have been deeply touched by messages of sympathy and solidarity from all over the world, including the Philippines, after this heinous attack,” the French embassy said in a statement sent to reporters on Tuesday, July 19.

The embassy added: “We thank President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who assured the Philippines’ support in fighting terrorism. We also thank the national and local authorities, the people of the Philippines, the foreign embassies and organizations, and all those who are standing with us in upholding the values of democracy and human rights.”

This comes nearly a week after a man zigzagged a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, killing at least 84 and injuring dozens of children. French President Francois Hollande called the incident a “terrorist” attack.

Duterte on Saturday, July 16, condemned “the brutal and violent” attack in Nice. 

In a separate statement, the Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said they mourn this attack in France.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said: “We, at CBCP-ECMI, share deeply in the sorrow and grief of the people of France over the deaths that followed the senseless act of terrorism that happened on Bastille Day in Nice. We pray for them, commending them to our good Lord, that He may grant them strength, healing, and comfort.”

“We are praying for peace and harmony in their country and in the world. We beg our God for conversion, a change of heart, a broadening of mind of those who nurture false and violent ideologies,” Santos added.

The bishop also advised overseas Filipino workers “to be more cautious of their safety and to be a ‘brother’s keeper’ to one another.'” – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com