A lawmaker from the Philippines and
diplomat are at loggerheads over the Filipinos joining the pro—democracy
protests in Hong Kong.
The Akbayan Representative Walden
Bello, gave speech at Occupy Central demonstration, he believes that Filipinos
must get involved. But the Consul—General Bernardita Catalla said joining rally
was unlawful.
“The Hong Kong government has
declared the protest illegal,” Catalla told reporters. “So if
he joined as a tourist, what he did was illegal.”
The Akbayan representative pointed
out that the freedom of expression in Hong Kong extends to foreigners. He clarified
that he came to the said demonstration as ordinary citizen and not as official
of the Philippine government.
He said Catalla "did
not know her law."
“The government of Hong Kong would
never arrest me for able to speak in that way,” Bello said, citing Hong
Kong’s Basic Law. “I’m 100 percent sure that I will not be liable for arrest for just for
speaking my mind in support of what people here are doing.”
The lawmaker also criticized Philippine
Consulate General’s notice urging the Filipinos not to join protests.
According to the advisory, anyone
found guilty of causing public disorder will be fined around P28,000 or HK$5,000
or imprisoned for 12 months.
Some Filipinos joined protests
especially in early stages and later on fear getting involved. They said they
would not risk getting deported.
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