Filipinos not targeted in South Africa violence

NEW JERSEY, USA – “So far there is nothing to worry about. At the moment we are safe,” Lorna Almonte Rances told Rappler.

Rances of San Pedro, Laguna, in the Philippines now lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the recent eruption of xenophobic violence prompted the defense minister to deploy the army to prevent any further violence.  

The attacks on immigrants, mainly Africans, in Johannesburg and Durban killed at least 7 people and displaced more than 5,000, according to the local media.

“The Philippines condemns the wave of violence aimed at foreign workers, and joins the South African government and the international community in denouncing the aggression directed against foreigners during these 3 weeks of unrest,” the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

There are at least 3,000 Filipinos living in South Africa according to the DFA. (READ: Philippines slams violence vs immigrants in South Africa) 

“We are not affected by xenophobia,” Lily Carida-Shone said. “It seems that African foreigners are the ones being targeted. Ethnic Chinese have expressed concern.”  

Carida-Shone, from La Union, has been living in Johannesburg for 18 years and runs her own business.  

South Africa, with a population of 51 million, is seen as a land of opportunity by many Africans. Officials estimate up to 5 million immigrants from Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Nigeria, Somalia, and other African countries are in South Africa to seek jobs and to have better lives. (READ: Foreigners tell of being hunted like dogs in South Africa) 

“They don’t really recognize us as Filipinos,” said Carida-Shone, who is married to a South African and has two children. She said that many South Africans only see Filipinos there as Asian.

According to the Migrating for Work Research Consortium, an organization that examines migration and its impact on the South African labor market, around 3% of international migrants in South Africa are from Asia. Around 79% are from other African countries, and they are mostly the focus of resentment among the poor who are struggling to find jobs.  

“Xenophobic behavior is quite prevalent mostly among the black population,” Rex Zosimo de Ramos told Rapper. “I remember the reaction of my friend’s maid when a Nigerian couple moved in next door.”  

De Ramos, who lived and worked in Johannesburg for 3 years, said he never felt unsafe when he was there.  

On Wednesday, April 22, the DFA raised an alert and advised the 3,000 Filipino nationals in South Africa to keep themselves safe.  

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the recent violence.  In a statement released on Wednesday, he said said he “urges that all efforts are made to avert future attacks, including any incitement leading thereto, and encourages peaceful solutions.”

Violent attacks aimed at foreign workers happened before in South Africa. In 2008, 62 people were killed in Johannesburg. But both Rances and Carida-Shone said that they are all safe and do not feel targeted.  

“Yes, Pinoys and Chinese were not threatened nor hated like the other Africans,” De Ramos said, – Rappler.com