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.
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., This news data comes from:http://erlvyiwan.com
Senator Tulfo expressed grave concern over the incident and emphasized to Ambassador Carlson the importance of due process and evidence-based enforcement.
- Marcos suspends importation of regular, well-milled rice for 60 days
- Van Gogh Museum 'could close' without more help from Dutch govt
- UN food agency chief says women and children are starving in Gaza and pressed Netanyahu on aid
- Bureau of Customs seeks missing luxury cars of contractor Sarah Discaya
- Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 610 people and injures 1,300
- Mexican senators come to blows after heated debate
- One in four people lack access to safe drinking water – UN
- DPWH exec fired, 2 others face dismissal over flood control mess
- DILG denies claims ex-PNP chief ousted over firearms purchase
- PTFOMS and CHR sign agreement to improve Filipino media workers' safety
