The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday, Feb. 5, posted messages of support to Russian officials in the country following Friday's blaze that torched the Russian Embassy in Makati City.
In a Twitter post, the DFA said it is “relieved” to learn from Russian Ambassador to Manila Marat Pavlov that “all his personnel have been accounted for and are safe".
“The Department extends its support to the authorities in the expeditious investigation of this incident, consistent with the relevant principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” the DFA wrote, referring to the agreement among countries that assures diplomats they can conduct their duties without threat of influence by the host government.
The DFA also gave its assurance to the Russian Embassy that it “upholds the inviolability of the mission’s premises and its right to protection from intrusion or disturbance as provided under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations".
Fire broke out at the embassy in posh Dasmariñas Village in Makati on Friday, Feb. 4, at 8:25 p.m. An estimated P100 million worth of property was damaged by the fire.
No casualties were reported as employees and their families were quickly evacuated when the flames were still growing.
The DFA said that the embassy “is taking measures to ensure the integrity and security of the chancery premises and the properties inside, as it should, taking special care that diplomatic correspondence is protected".
“It is the same with the embassies of all other countries without a single exception,” the department added.