Suspects in anti-Asian Queens attack arrested...

perhaps the most diverse place in the world, there is zero tolerance for hate. We will not allow our values to be threatened with violence,” Queens District

Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Wednesday, March 8. Plaza was inside a white Acura SUV near Junction Boulevard at around 2:30 p.m. when she yelled out “ugly Asian,” and threw water at the 44-year-old Lai, authorities said. The SUV stopped and Plaza got out, approached Lai and pulled her to the ground. Plaza then punched and kicked the woman multiple times in the face and upper body.

A 44-year-old male bystander approached to help the victim, at which time Fernandez and another male who has yet to be arrested got out of the SUV and rushed toward the Good Samaritan.

As the Good Samaritan attempted to pull Plaza away from the prone female victim, Fernandez and his male associate punched him in the face. Lai’s 24-year-old son approached to help his mother and was also punched in the face by Fernandez.

The three assailants then got back into the SUV, with Fernandez behind the wheel and took off.

Lai suffered a concussion, scratches to her eye, and bruising on her body, while her son suffered a skull fracture, police added.

The victims were transported to area hospitals where they were treated for head injuries, according to the NYPD. They have both been released from the hospital.

Both Fernandez and Plaza were arraigned Tuesday night, March 7 on a criminal complaint charging both with assault in the third degree as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree. Fernandez was additionally charged on a fivecount complaint with assault in the third degree as a hate crime, menacing in the second degree as a hate crime, assault in the third degree, aggravated harassment in the second degree and harassment in the second degree in connection with the incident. Fernandez and Plaza face up to 4 years in prison, if convicted. Judge Jessica Earle-Gargan ordered the defendants to return to court on March 10.

Community, lawmakers issue support

Six elected officials from Queens led by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng issued a joint statement on Monday, March 6 denouncing the suspects for their “utterly reprehensible” attack on the two victims.

State Senators Michael Gianaris and Jessica Ramos, Assembly Members Steven Raga and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, as well as City Councilman Shekar Krishnan also signed the statement saying they were deeply saddened and concerned to learn about what happened to the pair, and they

Ceremonial swearing-in held in LA for...

vowed to stand up against such hate-filled acts.

“We condemn this heinous act of xenophobia and violence,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “The incident involved the use of explicit anti-Asian slurs and physical violence, which is utterly reprehensible.

“We stand in solidarity with Cecille and her family during this difficult time. Within our role as elected officials, we remain firmly committed to combating hate and bigotry in all its forms and ensuring that everyone in our community is treated with respect, dignity, and kindness,” the statement said further.

The Fil-Am community has also scheduled a couple of events to support Lai and her son.

A visibility rally is scheduled for Friday, March 10, 5:00 p.m. at Corona Plaza in Queens.

The group International Women Artists has organized a Women’s Self-Defense Workshop as part of Women’s History Month and a way to support Lai and her son.

This self-defense workshop with Queens Training Club is scheduled on Saturday, March 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at PS316Q (39-07 57th Street Woodside, NY 11377).

The workshop is in collaboration with The Office of District 30 Assemblyman Steven Raga, Woodside On The Move, and Kinding Sindaw. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)

Angeles because my story in this country began right here.”

Born in the Philippines, Bonta was two months old when his parents, who were social justice missionaries, moved the family to the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. He shared his family’s story of then moving to the Central Valley to work with farmworkers, including Filipino American figures Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, and how those experiences shaped his future in public service.

“As attorney general, I now have the great honor of representing all Californians — those who have called this state home for generations and those who are just putting down roots,” Bonta told the audience of elected officials, community leaders and supporters.

Since taking office in 2021, Bonta has tackled issues from firearm ownership to housing laws to reproductive rights.

“It's been a busy two years because now more than ever, we need leaders of government and law enforcement to build and rebuild bridges with our communities,” he added. “Today, you have my commitment to do just that. I’m here to protect and serve our community because I’m a proud son of California.”

The ceremony, which was hosted by media personality Van Jones, included testimonies of the attorney general’s work and character from Rep. Robert

Garcia, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and Assemblymember Bonta.

“This is a new day for justice…I’m driven by the desire to protect and defend every day people who have been harmed, mistreated or abused,” the attorney general said. 

Marcos calls for cooperation to ensure...

PAGE A1 fair, credible elections in our country, in strong partnership with an enlightened and informed citizenry,” Marcos said. “Let us learn from the areas we need to improve and explore solutions to make things work better for our beloved country,” he added.

The Summit is a platform for national discussions and interaction among poll stakeholders in developing policies, plans, and programs in election administration, enforcement, and adjudication.

Before the National Election Summit, Marcos noted that preparatory consultations with various stakeholders were held across the country.

“From these pre-summit meetings, it has come to the attention that several reforms in the election process must be made and given these findings, let us take these matters seriously as the outputs obtained from these activities are indisputably significant,” the president said.

“Driven by the commitment to strengthen the people’s trust and confidence in the Comelec, I ask you to open yourselves to the recommendations of our experts and Filipino voters, who are [our] partners in ensuring free, orderly, honest, and credible elections,” he went on.

Marcos also said that poll results should be “accurate and unalterable” to keep the election’s sanctity. The chief executive believes that positive reforms can be implemented with modern technologies.

“Now that we use modern technologies to advance and make our election system more reliable, I am sure that we can implement positive reforms and make election result transmission faster and maintain its accuracy,” he said.

The next election is slated for October as citizens will cast their votes for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls. 

PH, US military cooperation to ‘seriously...

PAGE A1 its economic development at the end of the day,” the Chinese embassy said.

“We hope that the Philippine people can tell the selfish interests and zero-sum mentality of the United States to provoke a new cold war in this region,” it went on. “History will judge who is the reliable partner of the Philippines for mutual assistance and common development, and who is a passer-by that instigates and fans discordance in this region.”

China likewise was irked by U.S.’ “discrediting” of cooperation between Beijing and Manila. Nuland earlier asked whether

China’s promises generated employment in the Philippines.

The Chinese embassy said: “Economy and trade cannot flourish without a peaceful and stable regional environment. However, some Americans claim that the four additional military sites in the Philippines to which US forces would have access under the EDCA would bring ‘economic opportunities, jobs’ to their host communities, and discredit China-Philippines economic cooperation at the same time.”

“Such remarks are in total ignorance of the Philippine people’s pursuit of peace, cooperation, and development as well as China-Philippines helping each other in developing economy, improving people’s livelihood, and increasing employment,” it continued.

China noted that about 40 government-to-government cooperation projects have been accomplished or are in progress in the Philippines.

It further said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China resulted in 14 intergovernmental cooperation deals.

Citing Philippine data, China said that Manila and Beijing signed deals of intention of investment and trade amounting to $22.8 billion and procurement plans worth almost $2.1 billion. 