PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General in New York has reminded members of the Filipino Community to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions while in public in the wake of two recent shoving incidents that left two elderly Filipino women injured.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the Consulate expressed concern over the latest incidents that followed similar assaults against other members of the Asian-American Community since the start of the year.

“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,” said Consul General Elmer G. Cato.

On Thursday, 10 March 2022, a Filipina in her late 50s, who walks with a cane and suffers from poor eyesight, was injured after she was shoved down the stairs by an unidentified man at the 179^th Street Station of the F Train in the neighborhood of Jamaica in Queens.

On the same day, a Filipina in her mid-60s was pushed by an unidentified man at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train platform, also in Jamaica, causing her to land on her face and breaking her eyeglasses in the process. She sustained multiple injuries.

According to Consul General Cato, the latest incidents are the first two involving members of the Filipino Community to be reported to the Consulate this year. Last year, there were 23 incidents involving Filipinos that were reported to the Consulate.  

Prior to the Jamaica incidents, several Asian-Americans were also at the receiving end of violence in the subways, with the latest involving an Asian man who sustained injuries after another man repeatedly struck him in the head with a hammer. In another incident, seven Asian women were assaulted by a man in separate incidents in Manhattan that took place within minutes of each other.

The latest incidents came a few weeks after Mayor Adams unveiled his Subway Safety Plan to address the surge of violence and homelessness in subway platforms and stations. This has led to the arrest of 143 individuals; the removal of 455 others from trains and stations; and the issuance of 1,553 tickets for various violations.

However, despite these measures, New York City is still experiencing a skyrocketing crime rate with criminal incidents rising nearly 60 percent in February compared to the same month last year.

“Mayor Eric Adams promised to make New York City safe again and we are counting on him to fulfill that promise,” said Consul General Cato who, at the same time, advised members of the Filipino Community to always be on alert when commuting or while outside their residences. He also advised them to immediately report any incident to authorities.

In addition, the Consulate will also be holding a “self-defense and situational awareness” webinar on Monday, 28 March 2022. The class will be facilitated by Black 6 Project, a humanitarian assistance group made up mostly of Filipino-American military veterans. END