AKABAYAN Representative Walen Bello warned for joining over HK protest as unlawful

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.