RP embassy advises Pinoys to keep a low profile in China

The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has advised Filipinos there to keep a "low profile" as tension still exists between the Philippines and China over the August 23 hostage tragedy in Manila where eight Hong Kong tourists were killed. "Members of the Filipino community (are advised) to be more aware of their personal security, to keep a low profile for the time being, and not to volunteer personal information to strangers," the Embassy said in a statement. The Philippine post said the instructions were just a "precaution" against possible hostile actions in retaliation for the August 23 hostage-taking incident in Manila. It likewise asked those who have read the advisory to pass on the information to other members of the Filipino community. The embassy said that any "untoward incidents" related to this should be reported to them through the hotline 13911180495. It was the second advisory issued since the August 23 hostage tragedy, where hostage taker Rolando Mendoza, a dismissed police officer, was also killed. The first advisory was issued August 26, three days after the hostage-taking incident. During a Senate hearing Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos said he hasn't received any report that Filipinos are being abused in Hong Kong or elsewhere in China because of last week’s hostage tragedy. He likewise said that he does not see any "abnormality" in the country's relationship with China and its territories, adding that the country should focus on coming out with a credible, comprehensive, and thorough review of the hostage incident. "All of Philippines and China (are) very eager to get this thing past us," he said . — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV