Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — The Philippine government is working with Washington as well as other Asian communities in the United States on how to best address the spate of attacks against the sector, an official said Wednesday.
Speaking before the Commission on Appointments (CA), Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez bared that they have sent diplomatic notes to the US State Department and lauded how the Biden administration responded to the matter.
“Not only were they able to pass a bill in making federal law regarding hate crimes, but [they] also increased their law enforcement agencies. In New York, they had undercover agents in the subways, in the streets,” Romualdez told lawmakers during the hearing.
“There is still, of course, a lot to be done,” he stressed. “We’re working with other communities, other Asian communities here in the United States, and coordinating with them, on how we can best serve our constituents.”
Attacks against Asians, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders have been rampant in the US since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest case was that of a 74-year-old Filipino woman, who was randomly punched while walking in Manhattan, New York last week.
Romualdez assured lawmakers that the consulates are doing everything they can to ensure the Filipino community’s safety.
The ambassador, along with Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, formally received their confirmation from the CA during the committee meeting. The body, however, deferred the approval of the appointment of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo due to time limitations.
