Palace seeks probe as Pinay nurse dies in New York assault

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday appealed to the United States government to investigate the death of a Filipino nurse after she was assaulted by a homeless man in New York City.

In his Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said “all victims of violations of the right to life are entitled to a speedy domestic remedy.”

“We appeal of course to the US administration to investigate and prosecute the killer of this Filipino nurse,” Roque said. “We call upon the US government to do what is incumbent upon any state where there is a killing.”

In a statement on Sunday, the Philippine Consulate General in New York announced the death of Maria Ambrocio, a 58-year-old health nurse from Bayonne, New Jersey.

It added that the death of Ambrocio is the latest among series of violent acts committed by mentally ill individuals against members of the Filipino Community in New York City since January this year.

“Beginning January, we have seen several of our kababayan (countrymen), most of them senior citizens, violently assaulted by individuals with mental health issues,” the statement read.

The consulate general has also called on the authorities “to take the necessary steps to protect the public” as the anti-Asian hate incidents targeted some Filipinos.

“We also supported calls for authorities to take the necessary measures to address mental health issues, especially among the homeless. We reiterate these calls as we mourn our loss but we also ask ourselves: How many more Maria Ambrocio do we have to mourn before the streets would be made safe again?” it added.