THE Philippine Consulate General in New York yesterday advised Filipinos to remain vigilant for hate crimes and violent attacks in the wake of violence against two elderly Filipinas that led to injuries.
Consul General Elmer Cato said the two recent incidents were the first to involve Filipinos this year.
“The Philippine Consulate General in New York reiterates its reminder for members of the Filipino community to always be vigilant and take the necessary precautions, especially when taking the subway or when outside their residences,” Cato said in a statement.
“The recent spate of attacks against Filipinos and other Asian-Americans — whether triggered by racial bias or mental illness — is a serious concern that must be immediately addressed,” he added.
Cato said that last March 10, an unidentified man pushed a Filipina in her late 50s with poor eyesight, down the stairs at the 179th Street Station of the F Train in the neighborhood of Jamaica in Queens.
Hours before the incident, a 65-year-old Filipina also sustained injuries after she was pushed down by an unidentified man at the Long Island Rail Road train platform also in Jamaica.
Cato reminded Filipinos who were victims of such crimes to inform the consulate through its hotline at 9172394119.
The consulate, Cato said, will also be conducting a “self-defense and situational awareness” webinar on March 28.
Last year, Cato noted an increase in violent incidents against Filipinos in the city with a total of 23 incidents, including the case of 58-year-old Maria Luningning Ambrocio who was attacked near Times Square.
Ambrocio, a health worker in the city, was walking with another Filipina near Times Square after visiting the consulate when she was struck on the head by a mentally deranged person. She succumbed to the injuries several days after.
