FILIPINO HURT IN U.K. RIOTS; DFA ISSUED ALERT LEVEL 1 FOR PINOYS IN UK
MANILA, AUGUST 11, 2011 (BULLETIN) By ROY C. MABASA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Wednesday advised Filipinos in the United Kingdom to be on heightened awareness amid the rioting and looting that have spread across and beyond London.
The DFA raised Alert Level 1 for Filipinos in UK after confirming that a Filipino was attacked by rioters in Birmingham.
In a text message to the Manila Bulletin, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Filipino, who refused to be identified, suffered injuries in the face.
The people who attacked the Filipino reportedly took his mobile phone and watch.
"He is okay and recovering," said Hernandez who revealed only that the victim was released after being treated in hosptial.
He added that the Filipino is in touch with his family in Manila.
"Overseas Filipino workers there are urged to be extra careful and vigilant of the violence," Hernandez said.
Alert Level 1 means that Filipinos are urged to actively monitor ongoing developments.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, British Ambassador to Manila Stephen Lillie said at least 70 people have been charged in London and over 500 arrests were made as of Tuesday.
Lillie said those responsible for the violence and looting in London will be made to face the consequences of their actions.
"As officers take statements from witnesses and examine CCTV evidence, further arrests will be made," he said. "Extra courts and a virtual court have been used in London to get these cases dealt with straight away."
According to the envoy, police are doing their best to ensure the safety of all the communities there.
"The disturbances in London and other parts of the country are totally unacceptable," Lillie said. "The prime minister (David Cameron) has condemned the scenes of criminality and has vowed to do everything necessary to restore order to Britain's streets and to make them safe for the law abiding."
Lillie said London's boroughs have been clearing the damage caused to their communities.
He said councils have also been providing assistance to families and businesses that have been forced out of their homes and establishments.
"Across the capital, boroughs are working to ensure any affected services are re-located and are open to residents," he said. "Going forward, councils will be working closely with residents and other partners to repair both the superficial and the deeper-rooted damage done to the affected communities."
Cameron earlier declared that "people should be in no doubt that we will do everything necessary to restore order to Britain's streets and to make them safe for the law abiding."
"Let me, first of all, completely condemn the scenes that we have seen on our television screens and people have witnessed in their communities," Cameron said in a statement issued on Tuesday. "These are sickening scenes – scenes of people looting, vandalizing, thieving, robbing, scenes of people attacking police officers and even attacking fire crews as they're trying to put out fires."
Also Wednesday, the DFA said there is still no need to issue a travel advisory in the UK in despite the escalation of riots there.
"Neither the embassy or our authorities there have made any recommendation to issue a travel advisory," Hernandez said in a radio interview.
He reminded Filipinos in UK to avoid commercial districts in parts of London where rioting and looting still occur.
He said the Philippine Embassy in London is coordinating constantly with the UK Metropolitan Police and Diplomatic Protection Group in London and that it has contingency plans in place.
There is a hotline Filipinos in London can call, Hernandez said.
An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 Filipinos work and live in the UK, most of them in Greater London.
They work as nurses and professionals in hotels, and as caregivers and domestic helpers.
The first riots broke out on Saturday in north London's Tottenham district, when a protest over the police shooting of a suspect two days erupted into violence.
Tottenham includes areas with the highest unemployment rates in London. It also has a history of racial tension with local young people, especially blacks, resenting police behavior.
The disturbances spread across and beyond London after hooded youths set cars and buildings on fire, smashed shop windows, and hurled bottles and stones at police.
FROM METRO.CO.UK
G20 protesters break into RBS building
Furious protesters have attacked a Royal Bank of Scotland's branch in the City of London, smashing its windows and breaking into the building. The branch, which appeared to be empty, was hit by a hail of missiles including plastic bottles and toilet rolls.
Blooded: A protester shouts at police as tensions rise Scotland Yard said around 4,000 people had gathered outside the Bank and cordons had been put up in response to "increasing levels of violence".
Police also revealed 19 people had so far been arrested during today's disturbances, in addition to four yesterday.
Environmentalists, anarchists, anti-war protesters and workers hit by the financial crisis are demanding action from world leaders. A small number of protesters, many with their faces covered by bandanas, broke into the RBS building after windows in the Bartholomew Lane entrance were smashed.
A printer and various other items of equipment were seen being thrown out of the window as the group ransacked the office.
[PROTESTERS ARE BEING ARRESTED]
Graffiti was also daubed on the side of the building and eggs were among a number of items thrown at it.
A blue office chair was used to smash one of the blacked-out windows as hundreds of protesters cheered.
A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed that "a number" of arrests had been made in connection with windows being broken at RBS.
He said: "Officers have been deployed in personal protective equipment following earlier missiles being thrown and injuries to officers.
"We are aware of reports of people breaking the windows of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Police cordons remain in place."
Eleven people were arrested this morning after officers found police uniforms in the back of an armoured vehicle parked in the City of London.
Other arrests were for violent disorder, threatening behaviour, indecency, and one for possessing class A drugs.
A further four people were arrested yesterday - three for carrying knives and one for assault.
Witnesses said the RBS windows were initially broken by demonstrators using a metal pole.
Later a succession of speakers at a rally in Trafalgar Square criticised politicians for not doing enough to tackle global problems, including wars, and there were also attacks on the police for the briefings given ahead of this week's protests.
A protester smashes a window at an RBS branch
City workers waved £10 notes at G20 protesters as thousands descended on London's financial heartland.
In Threadneedle Street, a line of police holding back protesters was overwhelmed by the demonstrators, who surged forward, briefly pinning officers against the wall.
Police retaliated with a surge of their own, as helmeted officers repelled the crowd with batons.
Marches to the Bank of England, in the City of London, are highlighting a variety of causes.
One banner read: "Arrest the war criminals".
Other banners included "Drop books, not bombs" and "War is terrorism".
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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