Filipinos advised to avoid Hong Kong
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday, August 16, advised Filipinos to temporarily avoid traveling to Hong Kong amid the continued pro-democracy protests there and the unpredictable situation at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
Citing reports received by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, the DFA said protest actions have been scheduled starting Saturday, August 17, as follows:
· August 17: Chater Garden, Central to Central
· August 17: Government Offices, Admiralty;
· August 17: Hung Hom Pier to Sung Wong Toi Garden, Kowloon
· August 18: Victoria Park, Causeway Bay to Chater Road, Central
· August 19: “Clean up MTR carriages”
· August 25: Kwai Tiang Theatre, Kwai Chung to Tsuen Wan Park
“Filipinos are asked to avoid these areas during protests, and refrain from wearing clothing and/or carrying anything that could mistakenly identify them as part of the protest action,” the DFA said in a statement.
The department said the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is monitoring developments related to the protests.
In the meantime, Filipino travelers who have no urgent business in Hong Kong are advised to avoid HKIA as a destination or transit airport.
Those who need to travel to Hong Kong are requested to contact their airlines at least five hours before their scheduled
flights to check if their flights will push through.
The airlines’ hotlines in Hong Kong are as follows:
Philippine Airlines: (+852) 2769.7123
Cebu Pacific: (+852) 3973.3800
Cathay Pacific: (+852) 2747.3333
Filipinos in Hong Kong may also get in touch with the Consulate General hotline at (+852) 91554023 for assistance.
Operations at HKIA have resumed, following the issuance of an injunction against protesters who occupied the facility and caused the cancellation of all flights on August 12, 2019.
Operations partially resumed the next day, but a number of flights were still cancelled.
In the Philippines, more than 20 flights of
Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air and Cathay Pacific were affected on August 12 and 13.
Mass demonstrations in the semi-autonomous Chinese financial hub were triggered by opposition to
a proposed law that would allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China./sunstar Philippines