DFA: Alert Level 1 up in United Kingdom amid riots

After a Filipino was hurt in the rioting in Birmingham, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday alert level 1 has been raised in London as violence persists in the area. DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez told GMA News Online that “overseas Filipino workers there are urged to be extra careful and vigilant of violence." He also said the Philippine government has not yet imposed of travel and deployment bans to London. “Wala pa namang advisory or recommendation ‘yung embassy ‘dun. We’re not yet considering travel and deployment bans," he said, noting that the Philippine government will constantly monitor any developments in London. Pinoy hurt in Birmingham Also on Wednesday, Hernandez told GMA News Online that a Filipino was hurt in Birmingham in the United Kingdom where rioting and looting have been going on in the past few days. Hernandez said the Filipino, who refused to be identified, had injuries and bleeding on some parts of his face. Hernandez said the Philippine Embassy in UK is still trying to determine how the Filipino got hurt. However, Hernandez assured the public that the Filipino there is already safe and “is recovering. His family in the Philippines has already been notified about what happened." He said there are around 220,000 Filipinos in the entire UK. However, figures on the number of Filipinos in London are not immediately available. Worst violence in years The unrest in London — which will host next summer’s Olympic Games — was sparked by police shooting, allegedly insensitive policing, and increasing unemployment rate there. According to a report on Reuters, police and politicians said the disorder in London — touted as the worst violence seen in the country in years — was the work of a criminal minority, not of social tensions. - VVP, GMA News