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.
Senator raises concern over deported Filipino seafarers
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.
They claimed that ICE agents searched for child pornographic contents in their phones, but found none.
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., This news data comes from:http://705-888.com
- Sri Lanka's jailed ex-president Wickremesinghe granted bail
- Motorist in San Juan traffic spat faces sanction
- 40% of Filipinos are now obese, says Health expert
- N. Korea test-fires two 'new' air defense missiles
- HFMD cases on the rise
- Harold Cabreros takes post as new OCD chief
- Leviste files charges against DPWH engineer who tried to bribe him
- Marcos says commission on DPWH anomalies to be finalized 'very soon,' mum on Magalong participation
- DSWD program reduced hunger
- Cebu Pacific to launch direct flights between Cebu and Palawan
