Vehicles travel a road in Metro Manila on February 28. China’s embassy in the Philippines has warned citizens to travel in groups, avoid high-risk areas and remain vigilant in crowds amid a crime surge. -- Photo: EPA-EFE via SCMP
MANILA (SCMP): In its second safety advisory in 10 days, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines urged citizens to remain vigilant amid a surge in armed robberies, drug-facilitated thefts, currency exchange scams and other crimes.
The embassy’s “solemn” reminder on Sunday followed an advisory on December 5 warning Chinese nationals about “prominent” public security risks in the Southeast Asian country involving robbery and personal injury.
“Recently, the public security situation in some parts of the Philippines has been unstable, and many cases of armed robbery, [drug-facilitated] robbery, currency exchange fraud and theft involving Chinese citizens have occurred, causing serious damage to the personal and property safety of the parties involved,” the Sunday statement said.
“In view of this, the [embassy] once again solemnly reminds Chinese citizens in the Philippines to raise their awareness of self-preservation.”
It advised Chinese nationals to avoid high-risk areas, travel in groups, and minimise nighttime outings. It warned against accepting drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers and urged vigilance in crowded areas.
Tourists were also advised to safeguard travel documents such as passports. If they lose their documents, they should be wary of calls from unknown people claiming to have found their passport and demanding a fee for its return.
The embassy also advised avoiding displays of wealth – especially cash, watches and jewellery – and urged citizens to use legitimate currency exchange channels.
Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed in several incidents in the South China Sea in the past year. Photo: Reuters
“If you need to exchange currency, please go through formal and legal channels such as banks,” it stated.
“Do not rely on luck or choose the easy way, otherwise you will not only be easily deceived, but may also be suspected of participating in criminal activities such as money laundering, illegal foreign exchange trading, and so on.”
There have been growing concerns about the safety of Chinese citizens in the Philippines in recent years.
In late June, two Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines for business were kidnapped and killed, prompting a diplomatic intervention by Beijing to urge Manila to find and severely punish the killer.
Last year, six Chinese nationals were kidnapped from their home in Manila and four were killed, according to Philippine police.
The notice also included a list of phone numbers, including those of the Chinese embassy, the consulates in Cebu, Laoag, Davao and the foreign ministry’s emergency hotline.
Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated in recent months over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed in a growing number of incidents in the strategically important waterway, with the two sides blaming each other for collisions involving their ships.
The Philippines has accused China of aggressive actions, including using water cannons, while China has accused the Philippines of provoking tensions. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
