Officials from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs are now monitoring the situation and are coordinating with lawyers in Hong Kong to assist the Filipino arrested in Mong Kok at the height of ongoing protests in the city.
The Filipino man was accused of joining the massive protests, which is prohibited for foreign nationals 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 DFA said in a statement.
The man who refused to be named for personal reasons said that he did not join the protests but was about to but food when the arrest took place.
“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 DFA added.
The Consul General in Hong Kong is now coordinating with authorities and Filipino lawyers to facilitate the release of the arrested Filipino.
“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 DFA explained.
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.
