3 Filipino seafarers attacked in suspected hate crime in UK

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said three Filipinos were attacked in a suspected hate crime in the United Kingdom.

In a message to GMA News, the DMW said the attack occurred in Southwest England on July 31.

"The police investigation is still ongoing, and it is being treated as a suspected hate crime committed against the three seafarers who suffered injuries," the DMW said.

The DMW said one of them is in critical condition and is currently undergoing intensive care at the hospital. The other two victims sustained minor injuries.

The agency said its London-based office has extended assistance to the three victims and will continue to monitor the situation.

Based on a statement from local police, the attack occurred in Avonmouth, England in the UK while the Filipino seafarers were docked.

"There has been a suggestion that racist language was directed towards at least one of the victims during the attack. Therefore, we are treating this as a suspected hate crime at this point, pending further information coming to light during our enquiries," Avon and Somerset Police Superintendent Deepak Kenth said.

"We are aware there is some speculation online suggesting the injuries were caused by a knife, or a similar weapon, but that is not the case," he added.

At least four people have been arrested: a 19-year-old man, a 45-year-old man, a 17-year old teenage boy, and a 38-year-old woman. The woman was suspected of assisting one of the offenders.

The investigation is ongoing, Avonmouth police said. Police are treating this as an isolated incident. — VDV, GMA News