HUNDREDS of Filipino workers gathered at Tsim Sha Tsui Centre on Sunday for the MAISUG Peace Rally in Hong Kong.
This marks the third gathering of Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong to call for Transparency, Accountability, Peace, and Security from the Philippine government.
Despite being far from home, Filipino workers in Hong Kong are uneasy about the conflict between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.
Many Filipinos in the area fear that their Chinese employers might retaliate against them.
This is amid the rising ‘China-hate’ in the Philippines due to the WPS issue.
These sentiments were shared by Filipino speakers who attended the gathering.
According to former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, it is important for Filipinos in Hong Kong to voice their concerns on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.
“If a war breaks out between China and the Philippines, the first to be affected will be our countrymen here in Hong Kong,” Atty. Vic Rodriguez Former Executive Secretary said.
There are more than 200,000 Filipino workers currently in Hong Kong.
Most of them are household workers, and their employers are Chinese.
This is why former Palace Spokesman Harry Roque decided to attend the MAISUG Hong Kong rally to show support for OFWs
“Because the OFWs are the ones sustaining our country now, and their voices need to be heard. Without the tears and sweat of the OFWs, the economy under the administration of the dictator Jr. would collapse,” Atty. Harry Roque Former Presidential Spokesman said.
The activity also addressed other national problems such as high prices of goods, lack of jobs, government corruption, and the resurgence of the illegal drug problem.
”The true state of the Philippines is reflected in gatherings like this. So, the grievances you hear here mean that people see them as important and widespread, and that’s why they need to speak out,” Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles Former Press Secretary also said.
“So, events like these revive our concern for our country and our love for the future of our nation,” Sass Rogando Sasot Foreign Relations Scholar said.
Former Congressman and Anti-election Fraud Advocate Atty. Glenn Chong was also present at the event.
In the end, Filipinos in Hong Kong hope for a change in the administration’s foreign policy and to steer the country away from the threat of war.
“One of the most important issues, I think, is the matter of war. Hopefully, the Philippines does not end up in a war and we develop an independent foreign policy that is not beholden to the United States,” Prof. Anna Malindog-Uy Geopolitical Analyst said.
