 |
| Still shot from a video purporting to show HK police officers inspecting green shirts |
The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong has said there has been “no definitive finding” on reports circulating in the community that Filipinos wearing green shirts were accosted by the police last Sunday, Mar. 30.
Videos shown on social media show a number of police
officers approaching a group of Filipinos camped at what looked like Tamar near
Central, and asking to inspect green shirts in their possession.
No arrests were apparently
 |
| Basahin ang detalye! |
A number of Filipino migrants groups gathered in several
places across Hong Kong on this day to show support for former Philippine
president Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is detained at The Hague by virtue of an arrest
warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Social media posts showed gatherings being held in
Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Repulse Bay.
Duterte’s 80th birthday on Mar 28 sparked
similar protests by Filipino groups at The Hague and several countries,
particularly in Europe and the Middle East. In Qatar, 20 Filipinos were
arrested in a pro-Duterte beach gathering held just outside Doha.
 |
| Lady drivers in HK hold birthday party for Duterte, who turned 80 on Mar 28 (Facebook photo) |
Vice Consul George Soriano who heads the assistance to nationals section said the initial information they got from the police was that the reports about green-shirted people being arrested “have been taken out of context.”
The police reportedly gave assurance that no
significance was attached to the wearing of green shirts but promised to verify
further with the frontline officers involved.
Soriano said an advisory or a clarification may be
issued, depending on the police findings.
Hong Kong has recently tightened regulations against
political gatherings, particularly in public places. Groups that recently
invited candidates in the Philippines’ midterm election which starts on Apr 13
for overseas voters, have been told by police not to display banners or posters
showing support for any candidate or political party.
However, Makabayan candidates managed to hold their
proclamation rally in a Jordan hotel and a subsequent meet-up with Filipino
community leaders in Central, while former President Duterte and his daughter,
Vice President Sara Duterte, held a bigger campaign rally in Wanchai’s Southorn
Stadium on Mar 9.
