Undocumented Pinoys in Paris more careful amid strict security checks

Filipinos in Paris — particularly those who are undocumented — are extra cautious about their movements in the city, which is implementing stricter security measures following last week's terror attacks that left over 120 people dead, a TV report said Monday.
 
In his report, Dick Villanueva, GMA News' stringer in Paris, said there are Filipinos living near the areas where the coordinated attacks happened on Friday (early Saturday in Manila).
 
"Merong mga kababayan tayo na nakatira lang sa tabi [ng pinangyarihan ng attacks], pero pinili na lang nila na manatili sa kanilang bahay," Villanueva said in a his report on News To Go.
 
The main concern among undocumented Filipinos, however, is being caught in the security checks due to the high alert raised in the city.
 
"Ang pinag-aalala nila ngayon ay nagkaroon ng massive control, 'yung pagche-check ng identity ng iba't ibang lahi -- local man o ibang lahi... [Hindi naman] lingid sa ating kaalaman na marami tayong kababayan dito na undocumented," Villanueva said.
 
Villanueva added: "Kapag undocumented ka at wala kang maipakitang legal papers mo dito, bibitbitin ka nila at ikukulong ka. At ang iba, kapag sinamang-palad pa, ide-deport pa nila."
 
Because of this, Filipinos in Paris have avoided taking the subway, where check is most strict, he said.
 
"Ang ginagamit ng mga kababayan natin -- kasi ang matinding check dito ay sa subway -- ang ginagamit nila ay bus. Pero sa bus rin ay naninita na, kaya ang alternatibo nilang sasakyan ay bisikleta," Villanueva said. 
 
Data from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas in 2013 said there are around 48,000 Filipinos in France.
 
 
Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that none of at least 10,000 Filipinos in Paris were reported hurt in the attacks. 
 
She advised Filipinos in Paris to stay put and keep in touch with the Embassy through +33-620-5925-15 and +33144145700.
 
French President Francois Hollande order all borders in France, and declared a state of emergency. - Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UP Diliman Professors Share Scientists’ Procurement Struggles at Senate Hearing

By Harvey Sapigao Senate hearing of the revised procurement law (Photo credit: Senate of the Philippines) College of Science (CS) Dean Giovanni Tapang held up a little white device as he finished his presentation. “This is a ₱150,000 component,” he described. “Isa lang gumagawa nito sa buong mundo, pero ang hirap pilitin sila na magregister sa PhilGEPS,” he continued, referring to the requirement that foreign companies must first register to the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) before they can sell products to local scientists. Marine Science Institute (MSI) Deputy Director Dr. Irene Rodriguez explained that the small device is a resin that filters metals in water. “May budget tayo,” she said, “pero ang problema ko ay ‘yung resin na ito.” This and other bottlenecks brought about by the procurement law, or the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), slow down research and development in the country. UPD leaders were invited to the Senate he
Read more

How war is putting Middle East aviation at risk ---AL JAZEERA

The human suffering in Gaza is accompanied by losses that are undermining this vital industry With more than 40 years' experience in aviation, including a stint as chief executive Bahrain's Gulf Air and sitting on the International Air Transport Association's Board of Governors, Royal Jordanian’s CEO Samer Majali is someone who knows the industry in the Middle East – and its challenges – like few others. In an exclusive interview with The National yesterday, he spoke for many executives when he described how six months of violence in Israel and Palestine had hurt his airline and the region’s economy. While the human cost is, of course, the biggest, and Palestinian society is bearing the brunt of this war, its consequences are far reaching. The plummeting bookings, operational difficulties and financial losses being experienced by the aviation sector are being exacerbated by a widespread perception that the Middle East is in turmoil. “They lump the region as a homogeneous
Read more

Azerbaijan looks to enhance ties with Kuwait --- By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kuwait Emil Karimov stated that the strong and historical ties between Kuwait and Azerbaijan pave the way for further strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors. During an iftar held by the embassy for local media, the ambassador said “With a focus on tourism, food, and education, both countries are poised to enhance collaboration and mutual exchange of expertise.” He noted that 30,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited Azerbaijan during the past year. Regarding the trade between the two countries, the ambassador said that the volume of trade exchange for the year 2023 reached $665,000 and Azerbaijan is keen to increase trade exchange with Kuwait. He said the Kuwaiti side has expressed an interest in importing food products from Azerbaijan, signaling a desire to diversify its sources of agricultural goods and strengthen economic ties to enhance trade relations. To deepen cultural understanding and foster people-to-people connections between the t
Read more