“Kuya Max’s release is a triumph of the people, not the Philippine government, which had abandoned him and numerous other Filipino migrants to languish in detention.”

By Martha Teodoro
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – After almost two months, Filipino union leader Maximo Londonio or Kuya Max, was released from detention in Northwest Detention Center (NWDC)  on July 11. 

Londonio, a green card holder and husband to a US citizen, had been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since mid-May. He was arrested by US Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) when he returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from a trip to the Philippines. 

Londonio has been residing in the United States since he was 12 years old. He was greeted by Tanggol Migrante Network (TMN) and the International Association of Machinists Local 695 when he was released. 

“Thank you for all your guys’ support, I really appreciate it,” Londonio said. “Big thank you to Tanggol Migrante, for sure. From beginning to end, you guys were there from day one. I appreciate you so much. And we’re gonna do more!” 

The detention of Londonio was caused by US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on migrant workers. TMN said Trump’s crackdown resulted in an increase of migrant detainees across the US.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate was slow in handling such cases, the group said. According to them, Filipino detainees repeatedly tried to get in touch with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCG-SF) but their calls have either been unanswered or only reached voicemail. 

“The PCG-SF has been slow to respond to all Filipinos in detention, but it has been particularly slow, or nonexistent, in responding to the many Filipinos who do not have high-profile cases in the media and broader community,” TMN said in a statement.

The release was celebrated by other organizations like Gabriela Seattle and Tanggol Migrante Network Washington (TMN-WA). “Kuya Max’s release is a triumph of the people, not the Philippine government, which had abandoned him and numerous other Filipino migrants to languish in detention.”

Migrante said that “(w)e are here to bring awareness to unjust circumstances that our loved ones face,” as reported by TMN-WA.

Additionally, TMN-WA urged Philippine embassies and consulates not only to hear the needs and requests of their citizens, but also to provide assistance in accordance with their identified requirements, including availability. Filipinos who are detained should have regular access, and that access should go beyond the brief phone conversations that have been offered up to this point. When releasing assistance to nationals (ATN), the Department of Foreign Affairs was also urged to be open and honest, pointing out that the resources offered should be more comprehensive to accommodate the needs of detained Filipinos.

Migrante International and TMN-WA demanded the release of other Filipino detainees in the US. 

During the demonstration to free Londonio, Maximo’s wife Crystal stated, “We’re fighting for the ones we love, and not just our families, but everyone inside there who doesn’t have a voice or the support we do.”

The TMN said Londonio’s release is the latest victory in a series of their efforts to fight for Filipino migrants in distress. Other Filipinos released were Lewelyn Dixon and Rodante Rivera. (AMU, DAA)