On 10 September, protesters set up barricades, blocked highways, and clashed with police over Macron’s austerity program.
ANTI-RIOT police officers hold tear gas canister launchers while ensuring the peace during a demonstration, in Nantes, France in relation to the Bloquons tout (‘Let’s block everything’) protest movement.
Sebastien Salom-Gomis/agence france presse
Filipinos in France remain safe amid a wave of public protests in the country, the Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo Jose de Vega said.
De Vega said the Filipino community knows how to take precautions and does not join protests happening in selected parts of the city.
He added that the Embassy in Paris had issued an advisory ahead of the upcoming protests from the morning of 18 September until the evening of 19 September, as they are expected to cause major transport disruptions.
The advisory, issued on 11 September called on Filipino community members in the country to follow local authority guidance, avoid protest zones and adjust travel plans if needed.
“All are encouraged to remain alert to their surroundings and prioritise safety at all times,” the statement read.
The advisory follows widespread unrest in France. On 10 September, protesters set up barricades, blocked highways, and clashed with police over President Emmanuel Macron’s austerity program and political establishment.
Over 80,000 security forces were deployed nationwide. Riot police periodically used teargas as well to disperse crowds which led to nearly 200 arrests in the capital.
Meanwhile, 300 protesters were detained across France.
The protests reflect criticisms over the proposed spending cuts of P44 billion (USD52 billion) meant to bring France’s budget closer to that of the European Union’s three percent ceiling.
Most protests were joined by students and youth groups, emphasizing generational frustrations with what is known as a “dysfunctional ruling elite.”
The Embassy said it remains in close coordination with French authorities and will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Filipinos in need of assistance may contact the Embassy through its landline, duty officer hotline, or official email address.
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