Filipino domestic workers react during a candle vigil as they prayed for the Hong Kong tourists who were killed in the Manila tourist bus hostage standoff in Hong Kong on Sunday. -- PHOTO CREDIT: AP
HONG KONG - HONG KONG authorities said on Monday there was no anti-Philippines sentiment in the city and dismissed rumours that employers sacked Filipino maids to vent their anger over the Manila hostage bloodbath that took place on Aug 23.
Messages circulated among the city's 200,000-strong Filipino community last week claiming that more than 30 Filipino domestic helpers lost their jobs after the hostage crisis, in which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed.
Fears within the migrant community were further heightened by unfounded reports that three Filipinos were killed in Hong Kong last week.
Ngai Wing Chit, deputy secretary for security, said there was no evidence to support any of the rumours. 'We do not see the emergence of an anti-Philippines sentiment in Hong Kong,' he told a press briefing.
The average number of early job contract terminations among Filipino helpers remained unchanged at about 150 a day last week, he said, citing immigration statistics from June to Aug.
Mr Ngai also praised the tens of thousands of Hong Kong people who participated in a memorial rally on Sunday for being calm and orderly. There had been concerns about clashes between the rally group and mourners at a candlelight vigil held in central Hong Kong by Filipino unions. -- AF
