MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government urged its citizens in Indonesia’s capital to stay indoors and steer clear of crowds Saturday amid escalating violent protests that have gripped the archipelago nation, leaving at least three dead and sparking widespread unrest over economic grievances.
The Department of Foreign Affairs issued the advisory for Filipinos in Jakarta, emphasizing caution and vigilance to avoid potential dangers from large gatherings. “Filipinos currently in Jakarta should exercise caution and vigilance for safety, and avoid large crowds that may put themselves in danger,” the department said in a statement.
The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta described the city as relatively safe but said it was closely monitoring the situation and would provide updates as necessary.
The protests erupted nationwide on Monday, fueled by anger over low wages and what demonstrators call extravagant allowances for lawmakers. Tensions boiled over after a video went viral showing a motorcycle delivery driver being struck by a police vehicle.
Violence peaked Friday when a fire at a parliament building in eastern Indonesia killed at least three people and injured five others. Authorities blamed protesters for the blaze.
State-run Antara news agency reported fresh demonstrations Saturday in several cities beyond Jakarta, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, Surabaya and Makassar, where crowds demanded justice for the impoverished.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appealed for calm, assuring citizens that his administration would document and act on their concerns. “We are committed to doing our best for the people,” Prabowo said in a statement released Friday by the Presidential Secretariat’s Bureau of Press, Media and Information.
The Foreign Affairs Department advised any Filipinos impacted by the unrest to contact the Philippine Embassy’s assistance hotline via WhatsApp at +62811887334.
