Source: ANN
President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday welcomed Egypt's version of "People Power" that forced Hosni Mubarak out of power, almost 25 years after the Filipinos peacefully overthrew Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986.
"The Filipino people welcome the relatively peaceful resolution to Egypt's political crisis. Egypt's 'people power' transition shows that the aspirations for a more free and fair society are universal," Aquino said in a statement sent through text by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
"As Filipinos did in 1986, Egyptians must now begin the work of rebuilding their institutions. We stand in solidarity with Egypt and all people who long for peaceful and meaningful change," he added.
He was referring to the near-bloodless popular revolt in 1986 when millions of protesters crowded the streets, forcing then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos to flee into exile.
The revolt, which popularized the term, "people power" installed Aquino's mother, pro-democracy leader Corazon Aquino, as president, restoring democracy to the Philippines after 14 years of one-man rule.
The country's main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), also welcomed the fall of Mubarak in a statement posted on their official website.
The MILF said that Muslim Filipinos "hail the historic triumph of the Egyptian people's struggle for freedom and democratic change."
The MILF has been fighting for a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines but is now engaged in peace talks with the government.
Despite the fall of Mubarak, the Philippine foreign department said it would continue the repatriation of Filipinos in Egypt who wished to return home due to the political unrest in that country.
During the protests, there had been concerns for the welfare of the 6,500 Filipinos living in Egypt and the government has repatriated dozens of them.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo also commended the Egyptian people "for their abiding faith and perseverance in bringing about change and democratic reform in their county," following occasionally bloody demonstrations in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria over 18 days.
"Egypt has been a steadfast friend and partner of the Philippines, and as we commemorate this month the 25th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, we wish the Egyptian people success at this new dawn of freedom and democracy in their land," Romulo said.
In a statement, Romulo said the Philippines joined the international community in "welcoming the resolution to the political crisis in Egypt, specially the transitional government that will administer the country until the conduct of national elections in September this year."
"Just like those at Edsa decades ago and similar peaceful uprisings in other countries, the Egyptian people reaffirmed that change is more meaningful and long lasting when effected through peaceful means," Romulo said.
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President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday welcomed Egypt's version of "People Power" that forced Hosni Mubarak out of power, almost 25 years after the Filipinos peacefully overthrew Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986.
"The Filipino people welcome the relatively peaceful resolution to Egypt's political crisis. Egypt's 'people power' transition shows that the aspirations for a more free and fair society are universal," Aquino said in a statement sent through text by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
"As Filipinos did in 1986, Egyptians must now begin the work of rebuilding their institutions. We stand in solidarity with Egypt and all people who long for peaceful and meaningful change," he added.
He was referring to the near-bloodless popular revolt in 1986 when millions of protesters crowded the streets, forcing then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos to flee into exile.
The revolt, which popularized the term, "people power" installed Aquino's mother, pro-democracy leader Corazon Aquino, as president, restoring democracy to the Philippines after 14 years of one-man rule.
The country's main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), also welcomed the fall of Mubarak in a statement posted on their official website.
The MILF said that Muslim Filipinos "hail the historic triumph of the Egyptian people's struggle for freedom and democratic change."
The MILF has been fighting for a separate Islamic state in the southern Philippines but is now engaged in peace talks with the government.
Despite the fall of Mubarak, the Philippine foreign department said it would continue the repatriation of Filipinos in Egypt who wished to return home due to the political unrest in that country.
During the protests, there had been concerns for the welfare of the 6,500 Filipinos living in Egypt and the government has repatriated dozens of them.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo also commended the Egyptian people "for their abiding faith and perseverance in bringing about change and democratic reform in their county," following occasionally bloody demonstrations in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria over 18 days.
"Egypt has been a steadfast friend and partner of the Philippines, and as we commemorate this month the 25th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, we wish the Egyptian people success at this new dawn of freedom and democracy in their land," Romulo said.
In a statement, Romulo said the Philippines joined the international community in "welcoming the resolution to the political crisis in Egypt, specially the transitional government that will administer the country until the conduct of national elections in September this year."
"Just like those at Edsa decades ago and similar peaceful uprisings in other countries, the Egyptian people reaffirmed that change is more meaningful and long lasting when effected through peaceful means," Romulo said.
