DFA urges Filipinos in Bangladesh to exercise caution after student protests turned violent

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called on the Filipino community in Bangladesh to exercise caution after nationwide student protests turned violent over the weekend.

The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka is closely monitoring the situation, which reportedly paralyzed public transport and resulted to injuries and damage to property, the DFA said in a statement on Monday.

READ: Scores injured in traffic protests in Bangladesh capital

In his report to the DFA, Ambassador to Dhaka Vicente Vivencio Bandillo said they have yet to receive reports that there were Filipinos among those injured in the protests.

“The Embassy continues to coordinate with leaders of the Filipino community to check on the safety of their members and to see if any of our kababayan have been affected by the protests and need assistance,” Bandillo said.

The Embassy said an estimated 500 Filipinos are living in Bangladesh.

Students have brought parts of the capital Dhaka to a standstill with a protest against poor road safety after two teenagers were killed by a speeding bus. /ee

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