Solon to DFA: Tell US authorities to act on hate crimes vs Asians

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should ask authorities in the United States to take measures on hate crimes against Asians in America, a lawmaker said Thursday.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. took note of the “rising hate attacks against Asian-Americans” in the US during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I request the Department of Foreign Affairs to express to the United States authorities, through our embassy and consulates, the necessity of protecting our citizens and fellow Filipinos,” Garbin said in a statement.

“The US authorities should undertake effective responses to the racially-motivated hate crimes, including their root causes,” he added.

Garbin cited the case of a Filipino elderly whose face was slashed with a box cutter while riding the subway.

“The victim is a senior. I hope the person who attacked him is arrested and charged in court for what he did against the Filipino senior. The incident is one of many reported across the US,” Garbin said.

Garbin likewise mentioned the case of a Filipina senior was also attacked while on a trolley or street level train.

“The attacker fled and not yet arrested. We hope the DFA prods the authorities in the US to make sure future assaults are prevented and the person who attacked the lola [grandmother] is arrested and charged,” Garbin said.

JPV