29 July 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert clarified reports that the 22 July 2004 arrival of 89 Filipino deportees from the US was in retaliation for the Philippine decision to recall its Humanitarian Contingent in Iraq a few days ahead of schedule, saying that the deportation of the 89 Filipinos was set even before the Philippine decision on Iraq.

“Allegations that the 22 July deportation of 89 Filipinos is a retaliatory act on the part of the US only serves to misinform the public and unnecessarily add even more emotion to an already difficult situation,” Secretary Albert said.  “The deportation of the 89 Filipinos is the eight in a regular series of deportations that started in June 2002.  Those deported are those who have violated US laws, including those who have been convicted of certain crimes and who were in jail for those crimes,” she added.

“We must avoid misunderstandings and misimpressions.  We have not seen nor do we anticipate retaliatory acts from the US.  At a certain point, we have to stop arguing over our differences and go back to the serious business of fighting terrorism together,” the Secretary declared.

The Secretary said that Filipinos were not being targeted or singled out.  Many aliens in the United States including Filipinos are being deported in regular groups following the strict implementation of US immigration laws.   Records of the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs, DFA show that the 8th and latest batch of 89 Filipino deportees arrived last Thursday, 22 July 2004.   The first batch arrived in June 2002.

In all the deportation cases, a chartered plane brings all the deportees from Asia and the Philippines is one of its destination in the region.    There are other nationalities that are subject to deportation – Europeans, Africans and Latin Americans.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles closely coordinates with US immigration authorities whenever deportations involve Filipino nationals.    Consular assistance is extended upon the arrest of the Filipino and extends during the hearing of the case up to the deportation.    At the start of every deportation proceeding, the Consulate General in LA ensures that the rights and welfare of the Filipino nationals are protected.

In each of the chartered flights of the deported Filipinos, a Philippine consular official accompanies the Filipino deportees who normally arrive at the airport in Clark.     The Office of Migrant Workers Affairs informs the relatives of the deportees and extends assistance in bringing the relatives to the airport.    The deportees or their relatives have requested that no names are released and that the media respect their privacy.  END