In relation to the recent news article published by Inquirer.net on the allegations of neglect by the Philippine Government regarding the case of Filipino national, Maximo Londonio, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco provides the following narration of facts:
- Upon receipt of information regarding the arrest and detention of Mr. Londonio, the Consulate has been in communication with relevant officials of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mr. Londonio himself, and his spouse Mrs. Crystal Londonio. Having been requested by Mrs. Londonio to request confirmation on whether Mr. Londonio was still in the custody of the CBP or if he has been transferred to ICE, the Consulate’s ATN Officer immediately contacted the CBP and ICE to verify the location of Mr. Londonio. Upon receipt of confirmation that Mr. Londonio has already been transferred to the Northwest ICE Detention Center (NWIDC) in Tacoma, Washington, the ATN Officer immediately conveyed the same to Mrs. Londonio, who informed the Consulate that she is already consulting immigration lawyers. The Consulate has been monitoring Mr. Londonio’s case since 19 May 2025 and has been in direct communication with him and his spouse to ensure that his rights are protected.
- On 29 May 2025, Consulate officials conducted an onsite visit and welfare check on Filipino nationals detained at the NWIDC and were able to interview Mr. Londonio, among others. He confirmed that he is a green card holder but he had a prior conviction which was the probable basis of his arrest and detention. The Consulate thereafter requested the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for welfare assistance for Mr. Londonio and the other Filipino detainees interviewed during that day.
- On 15 June 2025, the Consulate received information from Mrs. Londonio that Mr. Londonio was transferred to a higher security unit allegedly because of his tattoos as he was allegedly mistaken as being part of a gang.
- The Consulate was able to confirm his transfer from Mr. Londonio himself through a phone call on 17 June 2025. On the same day, the Consulate contacted relevant authorities to seek clarification on the reason for the transfer, and advocated for Mr. Londonio’s return to his previous unit as he had requested.
- Aside from phone calls and emails to the deportation officer handling Mr. Londonio’s case, the Consulate also issued two official letters, requesting authorities at the NWIDC to give consideration to Mr. Londonio’s statement that he was mistakenly affiliated to a gang based on his tattoos and that he vehemently denied such allegations. Unfortunately, despite the Consulate’s representations with the relevant authorities, the same was denied as the NWIDC stated that, based on their evaluation, it is for Mr. Londonio’s own safety and security that he be placed in the higher security unit.
- During the same phone call with Mr. Londonio on the 17th of June, the Consulate’s ATN Officer also relayed to him the approval of the 300USD welfare assistance provided by the DFA. He expressed gratitude for the assistance and asked the ATN Officer to coordinate with Mrs. Londonio on how to deposit the said amount to his account.
- Based on policies being implemented by the NWIDC, the fund was deposited to Mr. Londonio’s account through the Access Correction System, just as the Consulate did for the other detained Filipino nationals, including former detainee Lewelyn Dixon. As in the case of Ms. Dixon who was able to receive the full amount of the welfare assistance provided to her by the DFA upon her release, the Consulate has received confirmation from the NWIDC that it is their policy to release any amount remaining in the detainee’s account upon release or deportation of the detainee.
- Again, during the June 17th phone conversation with the Consulate’s ATN Officer, Mr. Londonio also informed the ATN Officer that he is already being assisted by a pro bono lawyer from the Northwest Immigration Rights Project, and therefore does not require any legal assistance from the government at this time.
- On 10 July 2025, a day before the Master Calendar Hearing of Mr. Londonio, Consulate officials met with the new Assistant Field Office Director of ICE at the NWIDC, and discussed, among others, the case of Mr. Londonio and his request again to be transferred to his former detention facility. The Consulate officials also conducted a welfare check on Mr. Londonio and informed him that they were ready to attend his scheduled hearing the next day to provide support. On the day of his hearing, Mr. Londonio’s lawyer informed the Consulate that only his immediate family will be allowed to attend the hearing. Pursuant to Sec. 36 (1) c of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Consulate respected the decision of Mr. Londonio.
As mentioned in its previous statement, the Consulate General has expressed appreciation to community members who have provided support to Filipino nationals in detention. We recognize their advocacy but request them to be truthful and accurate in releasing statements so as not to mislead the public.
Furthermore, while it is true that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, allows a sending state to provide assistance and protection to its nationals, the exercise of such function is not without restraint as Section 5 (a) of the Convention precisely states, that Consular functions consist in (among others): “protecting in the receiving State the interests of the sending State and of its nationals, both individuals and bodies corporate, within the limits permitted by international law”. Hence, the Consulate General is likewise bound to respect the sovereignty and independence of the receiving state and to abide by its laws and regulations.
Finally, regarding the allegation that the government has only released a meager amount in assistance, the Consulate General notes that, in the last three months, it has already released a total amount of Three Thousand Five Hundred US Dollars (3500USD) welfare assistance to Filipino detainees facing immigration cases within its jurisdiction, aside from the consular, repatriation and other legal assistance it has extended. It is unfortunate that those individuals or groups hurling unfounded accusations on the government are releasing statements based on incomplete information and biased views of how consular functions are to be performed by a sovereign nation in the territory of another sovereign state.
The Consulate General reaffirms its commitment to extend the necessary assistance to all Filipino nationals under its jurisdiction and to perform its functions in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and other international agreements, cognizant of its duty to respect the laws and relevant regulations of the host government.END