President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered relevant government agencies to extend assistance to Filipinos impacted by ongoing protests and immigration raids in Los Angeles, California in the United States.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Consulate General in LA are actively monitoring the situation.
“President Marcos has instructed that assistance be provided to every Filipino affected, especially those who live or work abroad,” Castro said in Filipino during a press briefing yesterday.
“However, they are also reminded to comply with the laws in their country of residence.”
According to reports, a Filipino national named Rolando Enriquez was among those apprehended by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified Enriquez, 55, as an “illegal alien” from the Philippines with a criminal record that includes burglary and sexual offenses.
The Philippine Consulate General in LA released an advisory urging Filipinos to remain vigilant and avoid large crowds amid the protests in downtown Los Angeles. The Consulate also advised the community to steer clear of any disturbances that may arise from the ongoing demonstrations.
Meanwhile. the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it will provide the necessary support to undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United States who will be affected by the mass deportation under the Trump administration.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency is closely working with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to set up support mechanisms that include financial aid, medical services, and legal assistance through the Aksyon Fund and the Emergency Repatriation Fund to ensure that deported individuals receive immediate access to essential services upon returning to the Philippines.
The move was made following the arrest of Enriquez who was among those arrested in the large-scale operations by United States federal authorities across multiple locations in Los Angeles, California.
The DMW said at least 370,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants in the US may be affected by the possible crackdown.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos says gov’t will aid Filipinos affected by LA unrest.”