DFA: Incident involving Filipino cyclists in Kuwait not a hate crime

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 29) — The Philippine government on Monday clarified that the incident in Kuwait that resulted in 15 Filipino cyclists getting hurt was not a hate crime amid the visa issue between the two nations.

“It is not a hate crime against Filipinos. That’s not what it looks like. What happened was that for some time there have been concerns in Kuwait over the lack of bike lanes and there have been incidents, accidents where aggressive drivers have injured cyclists,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

On May 27, DFA reported that several Filipino cyclists were hurt after being hit by a car along the Arabian Gulf Road. 

De Vega said 11 of the cyclists were brought to the hospital. Of these individuals, seven were immediately released, while two others took some time before they were discharged.

Two female victims remain in the hospital, one due to head trauma and another due to a fracture on her vertebrae, he noted.

De Vega said the Kuwaiti government is covering all the expenses, but Philippine authorities are also ready to provide any kind of assistance.

Meanwhile, the suspect has surrendered to police there, he said.

Authorities are looking into a possible felony case, De Vega said.

The victims are also eyeing filing legal action against the suspect, he added.