NO TO ASIAN HATE. A rally calling for a stop to anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City in this undated photo. Consul General Elmer Cato expressed hope for a downtrend in hate crimes and other incidents targeting Asian-Americans under the new leadership of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Philippine Consulate General in New York expressed hope for a downtrend in hate crimes and other incidents targeting Asian-Americans under the new leadership of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
In a statement on Tuesday, Consul General Elmer Cato expressed his “full support” for Adams’ plans to ensure that “every District Attorney’s Office would have a robust hate crime unit but to also increase the resources of the Asian Hate Crimes Task Force of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).”
“We are one with the Asian-American Community in expressing hope that under the leadership of Mayor Adams, the streets of New York City will once again be safe for everyone,” Cato said, noting that at least 20 members of the Filipino community were among the victims of hate incidents in 2021.
The number of anti-Asian hate incidents in New York City went up by 394 percent, from 130 cases in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 33 incidents for the same period in 2020 based on the latest figures of the NYPD.
Cato said Adams, a former police officer, announced plans to increase police visibility in the New York subway system and provide support services for homeless individuals, especially those with mental health issues.
“We are hopeful that the measures announced by Mayor Adams would succeed in arresting the record surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and other incidents,” Cato said.
He said 36 percent of hate incidents reported on the New York subway system were also anti-Asian which includes the face-slashing of church worker Noel Quintana in February and the assault on nurse Potri Ranka Manis in August.
As a result of these “high-profile attacks,” he said many Filipinos have become apprehensive of taking the subway, with many avoiding the subway completely and opting for other forms of transportation. (PNA)
