‘Isolated incident’: 5 Filipino tourists arrested in Singapore for alleged theft

SINGAPORE — The incident involving five Filipino tourists who were arrested in September for alleged theft is an isolated case, the Philippine envoy to Singapore said Wednesday.

“Of course, it’s an isolated incident. Wala naman tayong ganyang karaming ano, ang daming Pilipino rito, 220 [thousand], but this is the first time that this has happened, at least during the time that I was here,” Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig told reporters in an ambush interview at the Philippine Embassy Wednesday, October 7, in Singapore ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s five-day working visit.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said five Filipino nationals were arrested in connection with an alleged theft involving approximately SGD 155,000 (approximately P7.6 million) in cash from a male victim at the pedestrian underpass near Tang Plaza along Orchard Road, Singapore.

The said Filipino tourists attended legal proceedings before a Singapore court last October 2 and will return October 9, according to Macaraig.

The envoy assured that the Singaporean government is providing adequate legal assistance to the five Filipino nationals.

The Philippine Embassy in Singapore reminded all Filipinos visiting and residing in the southeast asian city-state to observe and strictly comply with Singaporean laws and regulations at all times.

“Filipino tourists are urged to conduct themselves responsibly and refrain from engaging in any unlawful activities,” it said.

“The Embassy underscores that violations of Singaporean law are subject to the appropriate legal and judicial processes of Singapore, regardless of nationality,” the embassy added.