Arrested Filipino in Hong Kong in fine condition — DFA

Department of Foreign Affairs. (Photo from the DFA Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino in Hong Kong who was arrested for allegedly joining the ongoing protests there is in fine condition, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

Deputy Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia Aguilar-Usudan said the Filipino was found to be OK while assuring that the foreign affairs department is in continuous coordination with the authorities and the Filipino’s lawyers for his release.

READ: Hong Kong police detains Filipino for allegedly participating in protest

The Filipino is currently under investigation for “unlawful assembly” over his alleged participation in the protests.

He, however, “categorically denied” taking part in the protests, the DFA said.

“The Filipino categorically denied that he was taking part in the protest, and insisted that he was just in the area to buy food, passing through the side streets, knowing that protests were ongoing in the main streets,” the DFA said in a statement.

“However, protesters were also on the side street where he was, and the former started running as they were chased by riot police. He was accosted by the police in the belief that he was one of the protesters,” the DFA added.

Aguilar-Usudan, meanwhile, assured that the situation in Hong Kong is being monitored as she reiterated her call for Filipinos to avoid areas where the protests were being held.

Likewise, Aguilar-Usudan advised Filipinos to refrain from wearing or carrying anything that could mistakenly identify them as part of the protest action./ac