Gov’t monitoring safety of Filipinos in Washington amid protests

MANILA – The Philippine government is monitoring the safety of its citizens in the Washington D.C. area after supporters of US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol to protest the election results.

In a Palace press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque assured that the government will prioritize the safety of Filipinos living in Washington D.C.

“Ang importante lang ngayon ay masiguro na walang Pilipino po na mapapasama diyan sa gulo na iyan. At inatasan naman po talaga ang ating mga embahada at ang ating consular office sa Washington D.C. na mag-monitor at ibalita kaagad kung mayroon pong nasaktan or nadawit na mga Pilipino diyan (The only important thing now is to make sure that no Filipino gets involved in those protests. We expect our embassies and our consular office in Washington D.C. to monitor and report immediately if any Filipinos have been hurt or involved there),” he said.

Citing Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Roque said he believes that the US can handle the violence that erupted in its Capitol.

“Nagsalita na po ang ating Secretary of Foreign Affairs, kampante po ang ating Secretary of Foreign Affairs na hindi naman po matitinag ang demokrasya diyan sa Amerika sa panandaliang pagkakagulong nakikita natin (Our Secretary of Foreign Affairs already released a statement. He’s confident that democracy will not be shaken by a temporary disturbance),” he added.

Locsin expressed confidence that the US will be able to cope because of its strong democracy.

“US can handle this & more — sad as it is to see — and still emerge world’s leading power. This is not a nightmare of democracy but a fever. It would be a nightmare of authoritarianism which is mortally wounded by such upheavals. Saw this before. Democracy is elastic steel,” he said in a tweet.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez advised Filipinos in the Washington D.C. area to stay home following reports that some Asian-Americans have joined the protests.

He said embassy operations were not affected as it is relatively far from the site of the protest.

On Wednesday, thousands of Trump supporters convened in front of the White House to call for the overturning of the 2020 election results while Congress was meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory.

According to Anadolu Agency report, four people died during the pro-Trump protests, including one woman who was shot.

Trump told his supporters to go home, but at the same time repeated allegations that his election win was “stolen” from him.