Filipina giving masks in NYC subway attacked; PH consulate calls for vigilance

FILE PHOTO: People wearing face coverings due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic ride the subway in New York City, U.S., July 27, 2021. REUTERS/David ‘Dee’ Delgado/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — An elderly Filipina was reportedly attacked in a New York City subway for distributing masks to fellow passengers, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said.

The Philippine Consulate General, in an advisory, said the elderly Filipina was “violently assaulted” by two individuals while she was distributing face masks to fellow passengers on Tuesday.

“The assailants were shouting racial slurs at her while she was being attacked,” the Consul said in a statement posted on Facebook Wednesday.

The Philippine Consulate General reiterated its call for Filipinos in New York City to be more careful.

“Always remain vigilant especially when taking the subway in view of another incident of anti-Asian hate involving a member of the Filipino-American Community,” they said.

The consulate also encouraged Filipinos were advised to similar incidents to the Consulate General’s Assistance to Nationals Hotline at 917-239-4118 or to send an email to [email protected]

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