The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised alert level 1 in London after a Filipino was hurt during a riot in Birmingham. As violence continues in the area, the government agency reminded Filipinos in London to be very careful.

Raul Hernandez, the spokesperson of DFA said this during an interview done by GMANewsOnline,  “overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there are urged to be extra careful and vigilant of violence."

However he also said that no travel and deployment bans to London has been imposed by the Philippine government yet.

He said, “Wala pa namang advisory or recommendation ‘yung embassy ‘dun. We’re not yet considering travel and deployment bans."

Hernandez said that the government is constantly monitoring the developments in London. He also reported that the Filipino who was hurt in the Birmingham riot refused to be name but he had suffered injuries and wounds on the face. He also gave an assurance that the Filipino victim is safe now and his family in the Philippines has been informed. He is currently recuperating.

The Philippine Embassy in United Kingdom (UK) is still in the process of investigating how the said Filipino got hurt. There are conflicting reports about his identity because while the DFA spokesperson identified the Filipino as male, GMA's UK stringer Bernadette Fernandez, reported that the victim is a woman.  

The violence in London ignited out of a police shooting, supposedly insensitive policing, and the increase in the number of unemployed citizens. A report from Reuters called this disorder as the worst violence seen in the country in years. It is said to be the work of a criminal minority, not of social tensions.

The Philippine Embassy in London may be contacted at the following numbers:

00440207451780

004407802790695

004407809737672

004407542095133

004407553203793

004407817479313