Elderly Filipino assaulted in New York recovering well, says consul general

People attend the Stop Asian Hate rally at Times Square in New York City, U.S., April 4, 2021. (REUTERS/file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The 67-year-old Filipino woman who was punched and kicked over 125 times by a male assailant in New York has been released from the hospital and is recovering well, Philippine Consul General Elmer Cato said Friday.

“Na-release na sa hospital yung ating kababayan at kausap namin yung kanyang anak at sinabi sa amin na OK naman yung mother niya, she’s recovering well. Nakakakain na raw,” Cato said in a Teleradyo interview.

(She was already discharged from hospital and we were able to talk to her child who said that she’s recovering well. She is now able to eat.)

“Although nagpapahinga na, hindi pa sila ready na makiharap pa sa amin at this point,” he added.

(Although she is already resting, her family is still not ready to face us at this point.)

Cato said the Philippine Consulate General in New York has offered to extend assistance to the victim, who is a dual citizen and hails from the Ilocos region.

“Sinabi naman sa atin na sasabihin naman nila kung ano yung maaaring maitulong natin sa kanila,” he added.

(They told us that they will inform of any assistance they may need.)

According to Cato, the suspect responsible for the attack was immediately arrested after the incident.

“Yung suspect is staying in the same building, same apartment building at ito ay may criminal record at may history rin ng mental health problems,” he said.

(The suspect is staying in the same building, same apartment building and he has a criminal record and has a history of mental health problems.)

Earlier, Cato described as an “unspeakable act” this latest incident of Asian hate crime in New York.

There have been 26 anti-Asian attacks involving Filipinos in New York and surrounding areas in the past year, Cato said.

While authorities in the United States are “doing their best” to address the rise in Asian hate crimes, “they cannot be everywhere,” said Cato.

“We don’t know kung saan yung next incident [where the next incident will happen],” he added.

Cato then advised Filipinos to exercise caution, especially when taking the subway.

“Because marami pa ring mga homeless, maraming mga mentally disturbed individuals, maraming individuals with criminal records na pakalat kalat pa rin sa siyudad,” he added.

(Because there are still a lot of homeless people, mentally disturbed individuals and many individuals with criminal records roaming the city.)

For Filipino tourists in New York, Cato also reminded them to be “extra vigilant, especially when [they’re] out there on the streets.”

“Even here in Manhattan na sentro ng New York City, marami ring nagaganap na mga Asian hate crimes. They should be aware of their surroundings and use common sense,” he said.

(Even here in Manhattan, which is the center of New York City,  a lot of Asian hate crimes have occured, so they should be aware of their surroundings and use common sense.)

Cato said the consulate together with the Filipino community will hold a webinar next Monday to teach Filipinos about basic and practical self-defense skills.

 gsg