The Philippine Consulate in New York is again urging Filipinos in the city to be more vigilant after the sudden surge in crimes against Asians.
Consul Gen. Elmer Cato said that Filipinos should be more careful after a Filipina was reportedly attacked by a homeless person while riding the subway in Queens, New York.
“We want our people to take the necessary precaution. What’s happening in New York is happening in other cities in the world. In Europe, we’ve been receiving reports on Filipinos who get mobbed in other countries,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“Filipinos are not actually targeted because they are Filipinos. We become victims because they look Asian because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a surge of hate crimes against people who look Asian. Hate crimes have been there for a long time,” he added.
He also urged Filipinos to report on the hate crimes as a majority of the incidents are not reported by the victims.
The victims of hate crimes in New York has climbed to 42. The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported that a 51-year-old Filipina has become the 42nd case of a hate-related incident or criminal act involving a member of the Filipino community there since last year.
The victim was verbally assaulted and harassed by what appeared to be a homeless woman who also tried to prevent her from boarding her train at the 63rd Drive Subway Station in Rego Park, Queens on Saturday afternoon.
Another Filipino was also victimized, this time an 18-year-old Filipino tourist from Cebu who was attacked in Manhattan, the Philippine Consul General in New York confirmed.
Reports said the tourist was walking near the Philippine Center in Manhattan on Wednesday with three other Filipinos when he was assaulted by an unidentified suspect. The suspect was later subdued and handed over to the police. The victim reportedly suffered facial injuries.
“Kababayan residing in New York and those on temporary visits are reminded to always remain vigilant and to take the necessary precautions, especially when walking in the streets or taking mass transport,” it said.
The consulate also asked all Filipinos who may find themselves in distress due to hate incidents or other crimes to call the hotlines of the Consulate at +1-917-294-0196 and +1-917- 239-4118 for assistance or 911 for emergencies.
The latest statistics released by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) indicated a 37 percent increase in major crimes citywide.
Citing the NYPD, the Consulate said grand larceny was up 49 percent this year; grand larceny auto, 46.2 percent; robbery, 39.2 percent; and burglary 32.9 percent.
Transit crimes and hate crimes have also increased by 55.5 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively, compared to last year. Gabriellea B. Parino
Consul General Elmer Cato advised the Filipino community in New York, as well as Filipino tourists, to “exercise necessary precautions while on the streets or in the subways.”
Previous attack victims include several elderly Filipinos who have been brutally assaulted, including a 67-year-old woman who was punched in Yonkers.
Last month, a Filipino family was physically and verbally attacked by a man in North Hollywood, California, while a Filipino lawyer visiting the United States was shot to death in Philadelphia on July 18 while on his way to the airport.
There are reportedly 67,000 Filipinos residing in New York.