Brutal attack on Filipino woman will influence Philippine foreign policy, says Locsin

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday said the recent brutal assault on a 65-year-old Filipino woman in New York City "will influence" the country's foreign policy amid rising anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States.

"This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy. I might as well say it, so no one on the other side can say, 'We didn’t know you took racial brutality against Filipinos at all seriously.' We do," Locsin said on Twitter.

Locsin did not elaborate.

A police video and another video taken by a bystander showed the woman was attacked in broad daylight by a Black man in midtown Manhattan.

The attacker, who has been identified and wanted by the New York police, yelled, "You don't belong here," then kicked the woman several times on the head and stomach.

No one came to the victim's aid. A doorman who witnessed the attack in front of a building where it happened closed the door on her.

"It might be noted in this context that when anti-Japanese sentiment ran high in China, and a Filipino family mistaken for Japanese on the street were killed, it was clearly not tolerated because when it spread to Filipino factories the owner got a call from the People’sLiberation Army unit commander, 'Just to let you know, you’re (sic) factories across China (9) are surrounded by PLA units and the Filipino barracks are likewise secure,'" Locsin said. 

"The answer to racism has to be police/military; not understanding. Racists understand only force."

In February, the Philippine Embassy in Washington has advised Filipinos in the United States to exercise "utmost caution" amid rising incidents of hate crimes against Asians in the country.

"We note with concern the rise in attacks on Asian Americans in various parts of the country. Filipinos are advised to exercise utmost caution in view of these incidents," the statement said.

US media outlets have recently reported a wave of attacks against Asians and Asian-Americans in several states, prompting calls for action and vigilance among Asian communities.

Robberies and assault were reported in Chinatowns in major US cities while pandemic-related racism targeting Asian-Americans were also prevalent.

The embassy called on federal, state and local authorities to further ensure the protection of persons of Asian descent, including Filipinos.

Filipinos who experience attacks are advised by the embassy to immediately call 911 to report incidents. —KG, GMA News