DFA vows justice and assistance to family of killed Filipino in New York

DFA spokesman Charles Jose. AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday vowed justice and assistance to the family of the Filipino who died in a New York hospital after being brutally attacked Saturday (US Time).

“Our consulate in New York is ready to assist the victim’s family and cooperate with United States authorities to help bring to justice those responsible for the death of the Filipino,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message to reporters.

Roberto Martines, 56, a private chauffeur was attacked by an unidentified assailant after leaving a restaurant at the corner of 69th Street and Roosevelt Avenue around midnight.

Witnesses to the incident reportedly said that Martines was asked whether he was Filipino and was punched in the face after Martines said he was Filipino.

Martines fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. He was rushed to the hospital but remained unconscious until his death Tuesday (US Time).

“The police are still investigating the case so it is still early at this point to make conclusions on the motive behind the assault,” Jose said.

The largest population of overseas Filipinos is in the US with 3.5 million according to the December 2012 records of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Over three million are permanent migrants while over 126,000 are temporary and around 271,000 are undocumented.

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