Malacañang Calls on Filipinos in Hong Kong to Avoid Areas Occupied by Protesters

Manila — Malacañang calls on Filipinos in Hong Kong to avoid areas currently occupied by pro-democracy protesters as local authorities there said it will do “all necessary actions” to ensure government workers returned to work come Monday.

“Patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa ating mga kababayan na umiwas sa mga lugar na pinagdarausan ng mga kilos protesta sa Hong Kong para sa kanilang proteksyon at kaligtasan,” said Presidential Communication Operation Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

Since September 28, tens of thousands of protesters occupied the road in Admiralty (where all almost all government installations are in Hong Kong Island) and demanded Hong Kong’s Chief Executive to step down.

The protesters also occupied Hong Kong Island’s Western, Central, and Wan Chai districts, as well as Mong Kok across the Victoria Harbor.

Coloma noted that the Philippine government continues to monitor the situation in Hong Kong.

“Nakahanda ang pamahalaan na tumulong at umagapay sa ating mga kababayan kung kinakailangan. Nananatiling nakaalerto at nakamasid ang ating konsulada sa kalagayan ng mga Pilipino roon at patuloy na kaisa tayo sa mga naghahangad ng maayos at mapayapang resolusyon ng kasalukuyang kaganapan sa Hong Kong,” said Coloma.

The Philippine consulate in Hong Kong said last Saturday they are ready to extend assistance to Filipinos who might be affected by the mass actions there. The Consulate also reiterated its previous advisory for Filipinos not to participate in the protest and to avoid the centers of mass actions. (PCOO/PND (ag)

Image Credit: www.nbcnews.com