The Philippine Consulate General in New York has strongly condemned the recent attacks against two Filipinos, including a senior, in New York as it urged authorities to keep the city's streets safe again.
Two Filipinos—a 73-year-old and 53-year-old—were at the receiving end of the so-called "Asian hate" in Manhattan on two separate occasions.
"The Philippine Consulate General in New York condemns in the strongest terms the latest attacks against members of the Filipino Community after two more kababayan have been added to the growing list of victims of the senseless violence that has left many Filipinos in fear," the Philippine Consulate General said in a statement Wednesday, March 30.
It was disclosed that the 73-year-old Filipino was assaulted by a homeless individual while on his way to church between 8th Avenue and 40th Street in Manhattan on Sunday, March 27.
The 53-year-old national, on the other hand, was beaten unconscious and robbed by another homeless individual at a McDonalds store on 7th Avenue near 34th Street on Monday, March 28.
According to the Consulate, the recent assaults followed the "brutal attack" against a 67-year-old Filipino woman in Yonkers, New York two weeks ago.
To date, a total of 34 anti-Asian hate incidents and criminal violence involving Filipinos have been reported in New York since last year. Seven of these happened this year.
With this, the Philippine Consulate General called on authorities to address this and keep the streets of New York a safe place for migrants again.
"The Consulate again calls on authorities to do more to make sure that New York City is safe again for everyone by removing dangerous individuals, especially those with criminal records, from the streets and addressing concerns related to homelessness and mental health," the Consulate said.
Filipinos in the foreign land were also reminded to be vigilant at all times and take necessary precautions, especially when in public.