Filipinos in Myanmar are advised to refrain from participating in the ongoing protests for their own safety, an envoy said Wednesday.
“Ang mga Pilipino ay inadvise-an namin na huwag sumama sa protesta para hindi po sila madamay sa kaguluhan doon (Filipinos have been advised to not join the protests so they won’t be caught in the violence),” said Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Eduardo Kapunan during the Laging Handa briefing.
"They are fully briefed, they are fully aware. Before decisions are made by the Embassy in Myanmar, nagkakaroon kami ng town hall meeting through video and they are consulted about our next move, activity, or policy," he added.
Around 800 people in Myanmar have died from gunshots wounds amid the unrest in the country, the envoy said.
He added at least 4,000 are currently in detention.
"Warrant of arrest issuance is going on almost daily... It is internal but it affects the world as humanity ," he said.
Katipunan said so far, they have not received any reports of any Filipino being arrested or incarcerated amid the turmoil in the country.
Mass protests have been taking place around Myanmar since the military staged a coup and ousted democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in February.
In March, the Philippines joined other countries in calling for the release of Suu Kyi and for the complete return to the previously existing state of affairs.