By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles on Tuesday confirmed that a Filipino was among those arrested in an immigration operation by United States authorities in Los Angeles, California.
Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz said the Filipino immigrant had been sentenced for theft and rape and was arrested at his residence.
“(Siya) ay hindi kasama sa raid na napapanood ng karamihan sa loob ng home depot center— hindi siya kasama doon. Siya ay naaresto dahil isa ito sa mga operasyon ng ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (He was not among those arrested in raids as some may have seen, majority in a home depot center– he was not among them. He was arrested in one of ICE operations),” he said in an interview with GMA News.
Cruz did not provide details about the national’s identity upon the request of the next-of-kin for privacy.
He said the national is expected to be deported given his sentence and that the consulate is ready to extend any necessary consular assistance.
Massive protests erupted in Los Angeles over the weekend over the Trump administration’s mass raids in the area. To date, Cruz said no Filipino has been reported arrested in the protests.
“Ang mga nangyayari dito ay concentrated sa mga federal buildings, hindi ito reflective sa safety and security ng buong LA County or LA City itself (What is happening here are concentrated in federal buildings and is not reflective of the safety and security of the LA County or the LA City itself),” he clarified.
“Umiiwas naman ang ating mga kababayan, hindi sila pumupunta doon, hindi sila sumasama, so in general safe ang Filipino-American community dito sa LA (Our nationals are not taking part in the protests, so in general our Filipino-American community in LA is safe),” he added. (PNA)
