MANILA. Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Claro Cristobal called for a stop to the sending of text messages claiming overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong are allegedly being physically and verbally abused following the hostage fiasco that killed 8 Hong Kong tourists.

In an interview Monday, Cristobal said that most of the messages circulating among OFWs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) are unverified.

A recent message claimed that a Hong Kong national threw acid at Filipino tourists.
"Walang ganoon pangyayari, [iyong mga na-report ay] random at biglaan. Kahuli-hulihan na incident, nadakip ang perpetrators. 'Yong ang hinihiling na sa ating mga kababayan dito, na huwag magreact sa mga rumors," he said.

Cristobal said they have been able to confirm from Hong Kong police that these reports are false.

Better to cancel trips

Meanwhile, Cristobal advised tourists to cancel their visits to Hong Kong if they feel it might not be safe to travel to Hong Kong.

Cristobal, however, maintained that Hong Kong remains peaceful and safe.

"Ang Hong Kong ay matahimik na lugar, ang pulisya ay maaasahan to maintain peace, at ang kanilang pamahalaan ay ginagawa ang lahat upang masabihan ang mga mamamayan ng Hong Kong na maging mahinahon. Maganda ang katiyakan na walang anumang marahas na mangyayari sa turistang Pilipino man or hindi. Kung pumupunta sa Hong Kong," he said.

"Ang mga taga-Hong Kong nandoon pa rin ang galit pero hindi nila dinadaan sa dahas ang pagpapahayag," he added.

UK will not ban travel to RP

LONDON. The United Kingdom provides the biggest number of tourists to the Philippines from Europe.

Last year, there were around 90,000 UK nationals who visited the country. The level is set to be exceeded this year. But after the blundered police operation that ended the 11-hour bus siege in Manila, killing 8 tourists from Hong Kong and Canada, tour operators in the UK are concerned that it might affect the number of British tourists visiting the country.

Two British nationals survived the hostage drama but they were emotionally and psychologically scarred just like the other survivors of the traumatic assault.

Many Brits also sympathized with the former British Crown Colony, feeling sorry for the victims and families of the bloodbath in Manila. The backlash of the bungled-up operation was expected in the UK as well as its ripple effects, particularly on tourism.

But Filipino-owned travel agencies said the incident has not affected their businesses as yet.

The Philippine Embassy in London said the UK government has not issued a travel ban.
"The Embassy has been in touch with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They confirmed that the British government has not upgraded the level of its Travel Advise for the Philippines and is not advising against travel to the Country. Only a factual reference was added into the current text on the advise," said Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo.

Hong Kong immediately issued a 'black' travel warning, urging its nationals to cancel all travel to the Philippines and calling Hong Kong nationals travelling in the Philippines to cut short their visit and leave the country as soon as possible.

The UK did not take this route and assured continued good relations with the Philippines.
In a separate statement on the matter, British Ambassador to Philippines Stephen Lillie made the same pronouncement on Wednesday and also extended condolences to the families of the innocent victims.

Lagdameo also assured that the incident last week 'will not have an impact on the strong relationship between the Philippines and Britain.

The Philippine Embassy's flag was at half-mast on Wednesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning declared by the President.

"The Embassy joins the entire Filipino nations in expressing condolences to the families of the victims of the hostage incident in Manila on Monday, 23 August," Lagdameo added. (ABSCBN/DZMM)