Filipinos in Washington D.C. advised to stay home amid election protests

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. Jon Cherry/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos in the Washington D.C. area were advised to stay home after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol to protest the results of the elections there.

Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose Manuel Romualdez issued the reminder following reports that some Asian-Americans have joined the protests.

Romualdez, however, clarified that these reports have yet to be confirmed.

“We are advising our Filipino community in D.C. to stay home for the duration of the curfew imposed by DC police tonight,” Romualdez told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“DC Metropolitan police on alert for all embassies,” he added.

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee said the protesters used chemical irritants to attack police, leaving a number of police officers injured and one civilian shot.

A video of the protest showed protesters breaking windows and police deploying tear gas inside the building.

Biden, in a tweet, has called on Trump “to go on national television now to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution by demanding an end to this siege.”

“Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it’s disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now,” Biden said in another tweet.

Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021