Filipinos in New York told to be alert vs violent attacks, hate crimes

FILE PHOTO: People attend the Stop Asian Hate rally at Times Square in New York City, U.S., April 4, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

MANILA, Philippines — Following the violent pushing of two senior Filipinas that led to injuries, the Philippine Consulate General in New York advised Filipinos on Sunday to remain vigilant.

Consul General Elmer Cato noted that the two incidents were the first to involve Filipinos this year.

“The recent spate of attacks against Filipinos and other Asian-Americans—whether triggered by racial bias or mental illness—is a serious concern that must be immediately addressed,” he said in a statement.

Last Thursday, March 10, an unidentified man pushed down the stairs a Filipina in her late 50s with poor eyesight at the 179th Street Station of the F Train in the neighborhood of Jamaica in Queens.

A Filipina in her 60s, meanwhile, was pushed at the Long Island Rail Road train platform by an unidentified man, also in the same neighborhood on the same day.

The older Filipina got multiple injuries as she landed on her face, breaking her eyeglasses.

These incidents happened a few weeks after New York City Mayor Eric Adams laid out his Subway Safety Plan in response to the influx of violence and homelessness in subway platforms and stations.

“Mayor Eric Adams promised to make New York City safe again and we are counting on him to fulfill that promise,” said Cato.

The plan has resulted in the apprehension of 143 individuals, removal of 455 people from trains and stations, and issuance of 1,553 tickets for various violations.

New York is still experiencing a high crime rate with criminal incidents soaring almost 60 percent in February compared to the same month in 2021, said Cato.

The consulate will be conducting a “self-defense and situational awareness” webinar on March 28.

Last year, 23 incidents involving members of the Filipino community were reported to the consulate.