(Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued an advisory to Filipinos in France, including residents and those visiting the European country, to be extra cautious because of ongoing protests in the French capital over a planned fuel hike due to environmental taxes.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said Filipinos should avoid going to the Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Tuileries, Place Vendome, Avenue Friedland, Avenue Kléber, and other parts of France where there are continued and expected demonstrations. More demonstrations are reported to take place on Saturday.
Cato cited the Philippine embassy report in Paris about the mass protests there. Last Saturday, rioters had ran amok in the capital, torching some 200 cars, smashing shop windows, and vandalising the Arc de Triomphe, an iconic national monument.
The DFA also advised Filipinos to refrain from taking part in the protests.
Ambassador to France Ma. Teresa Lazaro said more than 400 protesters have already been arrested and charged in connection with the violence.
The Philippine embassy is still monitoring the situation in France. It reminded Filipinos there to contact the embassy (+33620592515) in case of any emergency or request for assistance.
The French government, under pressure from weeks of “yellow vest” protests over rising living costs, on Wednesday scrapped all planned fuel tax hikes for 2019 and appealed for calm.
An increase scheduled for January 1, was “scrapped for the year 2019” in its entirety, Environment Minister Francois de Rugy announced on BFM TV, in an about-turn for the government.
The presidency, meanwhile, warned of possible violence during a new round of protests planned for Saturday in Paris and elsewhere in the country.
(with a report from Agence France Presse)
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