MANILA – The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported on Tuesday that elderly Filipina and a Filipino theater actor were the latest victims of anti-Asian hate in the United States.
The separate assaults on August 29 and 30 prompted the Consulate to release a new warning to the Filipino community in New York, urging them to be vigilant in public places, particularly the subway.
The elderly Filipina was shoved down the stairs of a subway station in Rego Park, Queens, while the theater actor was spat on and exposed to racist slurs while riding the subway in Manhattan.
According to Consul General Elmer Cato, the elderly Filipina, whose identity has been withheld, was transferred to the hospital for treatment.
A Filipino nurse who came to the Filipina’s help after she fell down the stairs on the morning of August 30 reported the event to the Consulate.
“Our Good Samaritan stayed with her until police arrived and later provided us with details of what happened. He told us he could not control his tears on his way to work. ‘It could have been my mom,’ he said,” Cato shared.
No other information were given about the theater actor.
Cato urged all members of the Filipino community in New York to be cautious, especially when leaving their homes and using public transportation.
“While we understand authorities are doing their best to ensure the safety of the public, we also know they cannot prevent a similar incident from happening again. No one knows when and where the next incident will be taking place,” he said.
