Philippines condemns MH17 crash

Manila, July 19 (IANS) The Philippines government Saturday condemned the attack on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that crashed over Ukraine Thursday.

"We convey our profound condolences for all who perished in this tragedy," Xinhua quoted a statement issued by the Philippines department of foreign affairs as saying.

"It is of utmost importance that the international community come together to help determine those who are responsible for this brutal act against a civilian airliner in civilian airspace," the statement said.

Three Filipinos were on board the MH17.

Those responsible should be made fully accountable for this unconscionable assault on a non-military aircraft that posed no threat whatsoever to any party, it said.

The statement said it was essential that the international community took concerted action to help reduce such tragedies all around the world.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the government was ready to extend assistance to the families of the Filipinos who died in the plane crash, especially in bringing home their remains.

Flight MH17, a Boeing 777, was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, when it crashed after being hit by a missile in Ukraine near the Russian border killing all 298 passengers and crew members on board.

This is the second major tragedy for Malaysia Airlines this year after flight MH370 with 239 passengers and crew on board went missing while going from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing March 8, remaining untraced till date.