On the Arrest of a Filipino in Hong Kong

05 August 2019 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, is monitoring developments and providing assistance to a Filipino who was arrested for allegedly joining the ongoing protests in Hong Kong. Deputy Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia Aguilar-Usudan reported that Consulate General personnel have visited the Filipino, who was found to be in good condition. The Filipino categorically denied that he was taking part in the protest, and insisted that he was just in the area to buy food, passing through the side streets, knowing that protests were ongoing in the main streets. However, protesters were also on the side street where he was, and the former started running as they were chased by riot police. He was accosted by the police in the belief that he was one of the protesters. The Consulate General is in close coordination with authorities and the Filipino’s lawyers to facilitate his release. Currently, the Filipino is under investigation for “unlawful assembly” in line with his alleged participation in the rallies. But the Consulate General is making sure that his legal rights (and his assertions of innocence) are duly respected.

The Consulate General reiterates its advice for Filipinos to stay alert and avoid areas of protest, and to refrain from wearing or carrying anything that could mistakenly identify them as part of the protest action.

The Consulate General continues to monitor the situation in Hong Kong and is ready to provide assistance to Filipinos if needed. END