MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, met with United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson to discuss the recent deportation of several Filipino seafarers from US territory.
According to the senator, the issue has drawn concern from lawmakers and migrant worker advocates.
He said that the meeting took place over dinner at the US ambassador’s official residence, where Ambassador Carlson had extended a personal invitation to the senator.
During the discussion, Senator Tulfo relayed the complaints of several Filipino seafarers who had testified during a Senate hearing on Aug. 13.
Employed as crew members aboard a cruise ship, the seafarers testified that upon docking at a US territory, officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) boarded their vessel and inspected their mobile phones., This news data comes from:http://yni-cpn-ft-hpf.erlvyiwan.com
Senator raises concern over deported Filipino seafarers
They claimed that ICE agents searched for child pornographic contents in their phones, but found none.
Senator raises concern over deported Filipino seafarers
Despite the absence of incriminating material, the Filipino seafarers claimed that they were still denied entry into the United States, with some even being detained before ultimately being deported.
Senator Tulfo expressed grave concern over the incident and emphasized to Ambassador Carlson the importance of due process and evidence-based enforcement.
- Heavy rain causes flooding, landslides and 8 deaths in Vietnam and Thailand
- Marcos suspends importation of regular, well-milled rice for 60 days
- Petitioners challenge claim NAIA fees lowest in Southeast Asia
- AKG chief denies using ‘kidnap’ car for personal purposes
- Argentine police recover Nazi-looted painting spotted in property ad
- Immigration deports 49 South Korean fugitives
- China's Xi holds talks with North Korea's Kim in Beijing
- India will not 'bow down,' trade minister says after US tariffs
- Manila Water announces service disruption for over 12K households in Mandaluyong due to leak repair
- Indonesia, US and allies launch joint military drills
