Fil-Am activists demand aid for detained, deported Filipinos

NEW YORK – Filipino American activists held a series of rallies outside the United Nations headquarters in New York this week, calling for urgent action from Philippine officials to defend Filipinos who have been detained and deported from the United States.

The protests were part of a “week of action” organized by the Defend Migrants Alliance during the United Nations General Assembly, where Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro delivered a speech promoting migrant protection.

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The protesters also demanded accountability for alleged neglect and corruption, highlighting the case of recalled Los Angeles labor attaché Macy Maglanque, who is under investigation for alleged ties to “ghost” flood-control projects worth billions of pesos.

Tanggol Migrante Movement, which is part of the alliance, criticized the Philippine government’s latest reply to appeals for assistance for detained and deported Filipinos, calling DFA’s response “unacceptable and nothing new.”  

“We deserve direct replies to each of them and not just generalizations,” said the group, which represents families of Filipinos in detention, said in a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DFA chief Lazaro.

‘Empty promises of assistance’

Tanggol Migrante cited cases where deportees were denied basic support, questioning what it called empty promises of assistance.

“What kind of ‘commitment’ is it when the Consulate cannot even provide an endorsement letter for deportees to receive assistance from DSWD?” it asked.

In a response signed by Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim, the DFA said its measures include regular consular visits to detention centers, monitoring detainee conditions, maintaining contact with families, and extending financial aid through the Assistance to Nationals Fund.

It also said Philippine posts actively coordinate with US authorities to safeguard Filipino rights.

“The Embassy and Consulates General remain fully prepared to offer all available forms of assistance to Filipino citizens affected by US immigration enforcement, regardless of immigration status,” the DFA said.

But Tanggol Migrante dismissed the statement, saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”

The group reiterated its calls for:

• Stronger diplomatic action for detainees’ medical care and release  
• Immediate release of delayed financial and legal aid  
• Comprehensive support for deported Filipinos facing reintegration struggles  
• An independent probe into alleged corruption by DFA and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officials in the US  
• Full disclosure and rejection of what it called “deals prioritizing US interests over Filipino welfare”

Labor attaché Macy Maglanque

Migrant advocates said the revelations about labor attaché Maglanque have reinforced perceptions of systemic corruption within the government. 

“It is bad enough that our families suffer from flood waters back home while politicians pocket our taxpayer money,” said BAYAN USA’s Andan Bonifacio. “To find out the official assigned to protect migrant workers’ rights here may have profited from our families’ suffering is enraging.”

Criticism also centered on Maglanque’s treatment of migrants who sought help with trafficking, wage theft and deportation fears. Advocates alleged their requests were “met with hostility rather than concern.”

Across rallies and virtual press conferences, advocates condemned repeated “inaction and broken promises” by the DFA and Consulates, documenting how hundreds of Filipino nationals remained stranded or detained with inadequate government support.

“These public servants must uphold their mandate and meet with the Filipino people they are supposed to represent,” said Tanggol Migrante in their official notice of protest.

Following daily efforts by the group to reach Lazaro and DMW Secretary Leo Cacdac, Consulate officials admitted “their hands are tied” and admitted that Tanggol Migrante was left out of a community town hall with Cacdac earlier in the week.

Inhumane conditions

During a recent press conference, Tanggol Migrante and Families of Filipinos in Detention recounted harrowing stories of medical neglect and inhumane conditions at detention centers.

They highlighted the case of a migrant who was shackled and denied vital kidney medication for months until advocacy groups interceded.

“We have not seen any consular officials at these ports doing ship visits. We tried calling all their numbers, but none of the consular staff called us back,” said Migrante USA’s Jom Dolor.

Kai Marie of Migrante USA warned that deepening official corruption, now linked to the “ghost” flood control projects, continued to impact government oversight of migrants.

Calls mounted for Cacdac to order an impartial investigation of all officials deployed to support overseas Filipinos, and for a full diplomatic protest to protect migrants from what advocates describe as “Trump’s attacks”.

“Until today, there is not yet a comprehensive or systematic plan in place to defend our migrants, as evidenced by the fact that we’re here having this press conference,” said Bonifacio.

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