Greenwich, Connecticut Official Apologizes for Unauthorized Removal of Filipino Flag

A local official in Greenwich, Connecticut has issued a formal apology following the unauthorized removal of the Filipino flag from outside Town Hall during a scheduled ceremonial display honoring Philippine Independence Day.

The flag was raised on June 13 during an event hosted by the Town of Greenwich in partnership with members of the Filipino-American community. It was intended to remain on display through June 15. However, town officials were alerted on the morning of June 14 that the Filipino flag had been removed and replaced with the U.S. Army flag.

A statement released Wednesday by Ken Borsuk, Executive Assistant to First Selectman Fred Camillo, clarified that the removal was not conducted by any town personnel and had not been authorized by the Town.

An investigation by the Greenwich Police Department later identified the individual responsible as Mr. Wold, a local resident, who admitted to replacing the Filipino flag with the U.S. Army flag in recognition of the Army's founding anniversary, which falls on June 14.

While the U.S. Army flag is included in the town’s list of pre-approved ceremonial flag raisings — as endorsed by the Board of Selectmen earlier this year — officials stressed that proper protocol was not followed.

“Had Mr. Wold asked to hold a ceremonial flag raising, the Army flag would have been proudly displayed,” the statement read. “However, he did not seek approval and had no authorization to remove another country's flag from Town property.”

First Selectman Camillo emphasized that the town’s ceremonial flag policy requires prior approval from the Board of Selectmen and coordination by a resident or organization. He also noted that Mr. Wold had previously been advised of these guidelines.

“When contacted by police, Mr. Wold willingly returned the Filipino flag, which was brought back to Town Hall and redisplayed the week of June 16,” Camillo said.

At Camillo’s request, Mr. Wold issued a written apology addressed to the Filipino-American community. The statement was formally sent to the Connecticut Association of Filipino and American Families and the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

“I sincerely apologize to the Greenwich Filipino-American community for removing the Filipino flag from the Town Hall flagpole,” Mr. Wold wrote. “I met with Town officials and understand my actions were wrong and hurtful. I assure the community this will not happen again.”