Pinoy hurt in Birmingham as riots, looting persist in UK

UPDATED 3:28 p.m. — A Filipino was hurt in Birmingham in the United Kingdom where rioting and looting have been going on in the past few days, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday. In an interview with GMA News Online, DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the Filipino, who refused to be identified, had injuries and bleeding on some parts of his face. Hernandez said the Philippine Embassy in UK is still trying to determine how the Filipino got hurt. However, Hernandez assured the public that the Filipino there is already safe and “is recovering. His family in the Philippines has already been notified about what happened." He said there are around 220,000 Filipinos in the entire UK. However, figures on the number of Filipinos in London are not immediately available. The unrest in London — which will host next summer’s Olympic Games — was sparked by police shooting, allegedly insensitive policing, and increasing unemployment rate there. According to a report on Reuters, police and politicians said the disorder in London — touted as the worst violence seen in the country in years — was the work of a criminal minority, not of social tensions. Pinoys urged to be vigilant Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in London urged the Filipino community to be vigilant in light of the riots that occurred around London and in other UK cities over the past days. “All Filipinos should stay away from high street areas to avoid large gatherings, from going to places of riots, or from getting involved in any public disturbance," said Charge d’Affaires Reynaldo A. Catapang. The embassy also called on the Filipino community leaders and members to contact the local police or embassy if there are any untoward incidents in their respective areas or to report any information on Filipinos who may have been injured or seriously affected by the riots. The embassy said it may be contacted at the following numbers:

• 0207451780
• 07802790695
• 07809737672
• 07542095133
• 07553203793
• 07817479313

The embassy also said it remains in close contact with UK authorities and Filipino community leaders. “It has also activated a round-the-clock monitoring team to continuously ascertain the situation," the DFA said. — VVP/HS, GMA News