MANILA — Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday commended Google for taking down an anonymous “Blood Stained Singapore” blog which suggested ways how to harass Filipinos in Singapore.
“I thank Google for not allowing itself to be a platform for prejudice and ethnic discrimination, and I laud everyone from Google for leading the drive in keeping the world wide web free from bigotry and intolerance,” Binay said in a statement.
The offensive blog suggested that Singaporeans should refused to be served by Filipinos restaurants; shove them in crowded places, and not to help Filipinos involved in traffic accidents.
Binay, president adviser on overseas Filipino workers, advised his fellow Filipinos to hold their heads high in the face of discrimination.
”As Carlos P. Romulo once wrote, in our blood runs the immortal seed of heroes – seed that flowered down the centuries in deeds of courage. Let us be proud of our culture and heritage, but at the same time, let us also be examples of tolerance, respect, and acceptance,” Binay said.
Binay cited a shining example of Xyza Cruz Bacani, an OFW in Hongkong whose stunning photos have been featured in The New York Times.
”She did not let her humble background get in the way of her pursuing her passion for photography, which she now plans to use to advance the cause of her fellow OFWs,” Binay said.
Binay said Singapore and its citizens “are our good friends and partners in the ASEAN, and host tens of thousands of our workers, to the mutual benefit of both our nations.”
”It is obvious that the blogger, in choosing to hide behind the veil of anonymity, knew he would be held liable for what he wrote under Singaporean law against hate speech. And even as we condemn hate speech, we Filipinos reiterate our well wishes for the people of Singapore,” Binay added.
The Singapore police is now investigating the source of the offensive blog.