Filipinos in Singapore drop celebration plans after residents' spamming

MANILA, Philippines — A group of Filipinos in Singapore decided not to push through with the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Orchard Road following online protest condemned by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The New Straits Times reported Monday that the Pilipino Independence Day Council Singapore or PIDCS withdrew its application to gather at Ngee Ann City Plaza, a commercial district along the famed Orchard Road, on June 8.

The Filipino community's plan was said to have raised "public order and safety concerns," the police said in the report.

Read: Singapore leader defends Pinoys, labels 'spammers' a disgrace

"Police had also advised the organisers to consider alternative locations used previously for the event, such as Hong Lim Park in 2013 and Suntec City in 2012," a police spokesman said.

The group's Facebook page was "spammed" in April by ultranationalist Singaporeans protesting the event in Orchard Road, saying it undermines Singapore's independence as a sovereign state.

A blog known for its hardline views condemned the Filipino group as having used "unacceptable" terms as "interdependence" with Singapore and "two nations, one community" in explaining their objectives for the celebration.

"Please respect the voices of Singaporeans, while you are standing on OUR SOIL, OUR LAND," the blog said in a statement.

Lee called the protests appalling and his fellow Singaporeans "a disgrace" for spamming PIDCS' online properties.

We must treat people in Singapore the way we ourselves expect to be treated overseas," Lee said in a statement.