LONDON – Philippine Ambassador Rey Catapang visited Croydon where some 200 Filipino families live.
Croydon is one of the badly hit areas during the rioting that spiraled out of control on Monday.
No Filipino was reported hurt in Croydon, but the car of one named Arnel was stolen.
“Sabi nila 'get off the car.' Nung di ako gumagalaw, may sumakay sa passenger seat, sumakay naman yung isa sa likuran,” Arnel said.
Arnel did not fight back to avoid getting hurt.
“Ibigay na lang kung ano ang gusto nila kaysa buhay ang kunin. Materyal na bagay napapalitan,” he said.
In the emergency session of the Parliament, Prime Minister David Cameron said the fight back has begun and no one will be spared.
With the help of CCTV footage, scores of riot offenders are being identified. Scotland Yard staged a series of raids to bring more offenders to justice.
The government said 20 million pounds will be earmarked to help the victims of rioting.
Ambassador Catapang said Filipino victims should come forward to receive assistance or compensation.
“Yung entitlement nila sa compensation, tinutulungan natin sila na makipag-usap sa local authorities other than that, we have offered to help them in anyway."
A Filipino was hurt in Birmingham riots and 2 Pinoys reported cases of damage to property.
But a Croydon Filipino Community leader said the rioting has affected Pinoys in varying degrees.
“Yung mga Pinoy sa healthcare affected sila sa transportation kasi may mga areas na naparalisa,” said Rommel Abellar.
Life started to return to back to normal but Pinoys here are still coming to terms with the horror of the violence that left homes and businesses ruined and people injured and dead.
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