After a night of violence in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Filipino families are facing a harrowing situation. Michael Sancio, a resident, recounted being awoken by masked men banging on windows, prompting him and his family, along with another couple, to flee their home. The town of 30,000 people witnessed masked rioters attacking police, setting homes and cars on fire, leading to fears of racially-motivated hate crimes.

Following the arrest of two 14-year-old boys accused of a serious sexual assault, tensions escalated in Ballymena, a town with a significant migrant population. The violence, rare in Northern Ireland, has left residents like Sancio feeling unsafe and uncertain about their future.

Despite assurances from the masked men that they were not targeting Filipino people, the Filipino community in Ballymena has taken precautions by displaying stickers of British and Filipino flags on their doors. This incident has highlighted the challenges faced by migrants in a region that has been historically marked by sectarian violence.

As the Filipino families grapple with the aftermath of the violence, concerns about safety and the future loom large. The recent events have reignited discussions about the treatment of migrants in Northern Ireland and the need for better support and integration efforts.