Palace urges Filipinos to avoid traveling to Hong Kong

Malacañang on Tuesday advised Filipinos to put off Hong Kong travel plans due to the growing anti-government protests in the special administrative region that even led to an abrupt closure of its busy airport.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a news conference that it was “not the right time” given the recent cancellation of flights to and from Hong Kong, a popular international destination among Filipinos.

“Avoid muna going there. That’s the advice kasi you’re not sure whether you’re going to reach Hong Kong in the first place,” Panelo explained.

Malacañang said earlier the government had no plans to issue a deployment ban to Hong Kong.

Protests against a proposed bill that would allow people to be extradited to stand trial in mainland China have grown increasingly violent, with police accused of excessive use of force and failing to protect protesters from suspected gang attacks. 

The anti-government demonstrations have also triggered an unprecedented shutdown of the Hong Kong airport, forcing Philippine carriers to cancel several flights. The Hong Kong airport re-opened on Tuesday.

The protests against a now suspended extradition bill have widened to demand greater democracy and the resignation of Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam, who maintained she had no plans to quit her post. — DVM, GMA News