Handcuffing of 62 deportees decried

A group that fights for labour rights has condemned the United States for handcuffing 62 Filipinos, deported, from the U.S. and due to arrive in the Philippines today.

Maita Santiago, spokesperson of Migrante International said the U.S.' move to deport the Filipinos in handcuffs is 'very inhuman'.

She said, "The Philippines government should demand an apology for such a roundup of Filipinos in the U.S., and why they are coming home in handcuffs?"

President Arroyo should consider her support for America's war against terrorism because Filipinos abroad are being affected, she added.

Wilhelm Soriano, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief said, "The American authorities have promised that once the plane reaches Philippines territory, tight security will be minimised and the handcuffs will be removed." Soriano said the Filipinos will be accompanied by 16 personnel from the U.S.‚ Immigration and Natural Services (INS).

According to him, the Filipino deportees were detained in different jails in the U.S. with cases ranging from illegal stay to criminal cases like thefts and child molestation.

Most of the deportees, according to Soriano, were facing criminal charges. The American immigration authorities will be bringing in all the Filipinos from Arizona where they will board a chartered flight to Manila.

Soriano revealed all the 62 deportees, 58 men and four women will be handcuffed 'for security reasons'.

He said the OWWA was asked by the Philippines Consul Arlene Prado in Los Angeles to assist the Filipinos upon reaching Manila and take them to their respective residences.