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Filipinos advised to avoid travelling to Hong Kong
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said reports on flight cancellations should serve as basis that it is not the right time to visit Hong Kong.
(PNA File Photo)
MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday advised Filipinos to avoid traveling to Hong Kong for now following flight cancellations in its main airport due to anti-government protests.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said reports on flight cancellations should serve as basis that it is not the right time to visit Hong Kong.
“Yung travel ban siguro with respect to kung gusto mo pumunta ngayon sa Hong Kong (Perhaps the travel ban, with respect to if you want to go to Hong Kong), this is not the right time to go there kasi yung flight mo biglang naka-cancel di ba (because your flight might be canceled),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“E di avoid muna (for now) going there, that’s the advice. Kasi(Because) you’re not sure whether you’re going to reach Hong Kong in the first place,” he added.
Despite the unrest, Panelo said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has not issued a deployment ban of Filipino workers there.
“Sabi ni ano hindi muna e, sabi ni Secretary Bello (Secretary Bello said that there won’t be a deployment ban for the meantime),” Panelo said.
The Palace spokesperson said since the protest is “limited” to the airport, the DOLE will continue to monitor the situation in Hong Kong.
“Nagkakagulo sa airport. Airport lang naman. Limited naman ang gulo sa airport e (There are protests in the airport. But that’s just in the airport. The protests in the airport are limited),” Panelo said.
On Monday, all flights in and out of Hong Kong were cancelled due to protests at the Hong Kong International Airport.
The airport is also keeping close contact with airlines to try to resume operation as soon as possible.
The protests were sparked by an extradition bill which critics believe would violate the territory’s autonomy.
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advised Filipinos to stay alert and avoid areas of protest in Hong Kong.
