This call was made by Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday amid the recent incessant bashing being received by Chinese nationals in the wake of a worldwide crisis brought about by the outbreak of the 2019 novel corona virus.

In his speech at the commemoration of the 75th year of the Battle for Manila held at the Manila City Hall’s Freedom Triangle, Moreno appealed to the public to stop all the bashing of a particular nationality on the heels of recent developments.

‘Sana ay umiral  sa ating lahat na alisin ang diskriminasyon.  ‘Yung suliranin na  ating hinaharap, lahat tayo me kaba..me takot, may natataranta ngunit hindi sapat na iisahin natin ang lahi na me kasalanan nito.  It’s quite unfair,’ Moreno said.

In this light, Moreno also cited the role played by Chinese soldiers whom he said dedicated their lives to fight side by aide with the Americans to liberate Manila during the war era.

‘It is but unfair to continue judging other nationalities because it (virus outbreak)  can happen anywhere.  So please, let us stop the hate.  Iwasan natin ang unnecessary discriminatory statements.  Don’t use words that may offend nationalities,’ Moreno stressed.

He added: ‘ Let us unite in facing these challenges...this is the time when we can prove to our fallen heroes and soldiers that Filipinos are indeed, worth dying for.’

‘Bilang ama ng inyong lungsod, ako ay nananawagan.  Huwag tayo maghusga o magtuon lamang sa isang nasyon.. ang pnakamabisa ay umiral ang pagmamahalan sa kapwa anumang uri, kulay o lahi.. ‘yan ang pusong Manilenyo,’ Moreno said.

During yesterday’s affair, tourism department chief Charlie Dungo said Moreno was joined by war veterans, surviving families of civilian war victims and Ambassadors from the United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia, Mexico and Spain in laying wreaths as a way of honoring the war’s fallen heroes.