logo
Filipino convict among illegal aliens arrested in US over weekend — DHS

Filipino convict among illegal aliens arrested in US over weekend — DHS

GMA Network2 days ago
The American flag flies near the Statue of Freedom atop the United States Capitol in Washington on November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
NEW YORK — A Filipino was among at least 11 illegal aliens convicted of various crimes who were arrested during separate operations by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities over the weekend.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the individual was a 29-year-old illegal alien from the Philippines. He was arrested in Middlesex, Massachusetts.
According to the DHS, the individual was convicted of multiple charges, including rape, aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force, four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.
Information about the arrested Filipino was released by the DHS on July 21 as it reported "criminal illegal aliens" arrested over the weekend, "including murderers, pedophiles, and rapists."
In a statement, US Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the arrests were part of President Donald Trump's campaign against criminal illegal aliens.
"Over the weekend, our brave ICE agents arrested more depraved criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and three child pedophiles. These are the types of barbaric criminals our ICE law enforcement officers are arresting and removing from American communities every day," McLaughlin said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. released an advisory in response to the recent arrests of Filipinos in connection with child abuse cases, reminding Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that such crimes are serious violations of American law.
The embassy did not mention a specific incident but the statement was made after US online news Wavy said the Filipino workers of Carnival Sunshine cruise line, all bearing valid 10-year C-1/D visas, were "forcibly removed in handcuffs" by Customs and Border Patrol officers at the Port of Norfolk in Virginia.
"In view of the increasing incidents of arrests, detention, and deportation of individuals due to child pornography-related offenses, the Philippine Embassy reminds members of the Filipino community and overseas Filipino workers in the United States, including those onboard vessels in U.S. territorial waters, that child pornography is one of the worst forms of child exploitation. Consuming such material perpetuates this exploitation," the embassy said in its advisory.
"U.S. federal and state laws criminalize the production, promotion, possession, viewing, transportation, and distribution of child pornography. Individuals caught engaging in these acts may be prosecuted, penalized, and deported."
"In this regard, everyone is strongly urged to refrain from downloading, possessing, viewing, transporting, distributing, or selling child pornography," the advisory said.
The embassy also assured the Filipino community that it is ready to assist individuals who believe they have been wrongly accused, urging them to contact the Embassy or the nearest Philippine Consulate immediately.
"The Philippine Embassy respects the right of individuals to seek redress or take legal action if they believe they have been wrongly accused of legal infractions. Please contact the Philippine Embassy or the nearest Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office for consular and welfare assistance," the embassy said. — Dave Llavanes Jr./ VDV, GMA Integrated News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Doctor pleads guilty to supplying ketamine to ‘Friends' star Matthew Perry
Doctor pleads guilty to supplying ketamine to ‘Friends' star Matthew Perry

GMA Network

time2 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Doctor pleads guilty to supplying ketamine to ‘Friends' star Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry had publicly acknowledged decades of substance abuse, including during the years he starred as Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s television sitcom "Friends." REUTERS/ Fred Prouser/ File photo LOS ANGELES — A California doctor charged in the 2023 overdose death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry pleaded guilty on Wednesday to four counts of illegal distribution of the prescription anesthetic ketamine. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of five people charged in the death of Perry at age 54, entered the plea in US District Court in Los Angeles. He faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced, prosecutors said. Ketamine is a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties. It is sometimes prescribed to treat depression and anxiety but is also abused by recreational users. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Plasencia admitted injecting Perry with ketamine at the actor's home and in a Santa Monica parking lot in the weeks before his death on October 28, 2023, and that doing so was not for legitimate medical purposes. Plasencia, who operated an urgent care clinic, obtained the ketamine from another doctor, Mark Chavez of San Diego. According to court filings, Plasencia texted Chavez about Perry, writing, "I wonder how much this moron will pay." Chavez and two other co-defendants already have pleaded guilty in the case. None has yet been sentenced. A fifth defendant, Jasveen Sangha, whom authorities said was a drug dealer known to customers as the "ketamine queen," has been charged with supplying the dose that killed Perry. She has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial in August. Perry had publicly acknowledged decades of substance abuse, including during the years he starred as Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s television sitcom "Friends." — Reuters

US and EU close in on 15% tariff deal, FT reports
US and EU close in on 15% tariff deal, FT reports

GMA Network

time3 hours ago

  • GMA Network

US and EU close in on 15% tariff deal, FT reports

The EU and United States are closing in on a trade deal that would impose 15% tariffs on European imports, similar to the agreement US President Donald Trump struck with Japan this week, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Both the EU and US would waive tariffs on some products, including aircraft, spirits and medical devices, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. The bloc will continue to prepare a possible €93-billion ($109-billion) package of retaliatory tariffs, set at up to 30 per cent, in case they cannot agree a deal by August 1, the report added. The White House and a spokesperson for the European Union did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report. The Commission earlier said on Wednesday its primary focus was to achieve a negotiated outcome with the United States to avert 30% US tariffs that Trump has said he will impose on the 27-nation bloc on August 1. In 2024, the US imported more than $55 billion of vehicles and automotive parts from Japan. From the EU, the equivalent figure was €47.3 billion ($55.45 billion), with far fewer US models sold into the EU or Japanese market. — Reuters

Marcos: PH-US reaffirm alliance on economy, security after visit
Marcos: PH-US reaffirm alliance on economy, security after visit

GMA Network

time4 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Marcos: PH-US reaffirm alliance on economy, security after visit

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that he, US President Donald Trump, and other key American officials had 'productive discussions' during his three-day official visit as Manila and Washington, D.C. reaffirmed their commitments. 'We've reaffirmed our mutual commitment to further strengthening our long-standing alliance and growing our economies for the benefit of the people and in pursuit of our national interests,' said Marcos in a statement following his arrival on Wednesday evening. 'We exchange views on key regional and international security issues, focusing on how the two countries could cooperate and contribute towards addressing common challenges and priorities.' Security Marcos said he and Trump reaffirmed the two countries' 'ironclad commitment' to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty amid growing tension in the Indo-Pacific region. 'I thank the United States for its consistent support for the preservation of regional peace and stability and for upholding the rule of law in the South China Sea,' said Marcos. 'We discussed enhanced cooperation on cybersecurity, energy supply, resilience and critical infrastructure. I underscored the importance of our multilateral engagement, especially with neighboring countries to continue to reinforce the network of common alliances in the region,' he added. Economy Marcos also welcomed the US government's pledge of an additional $15 million for private sector development under the Luzon Economic Corridor Initiative and an additional $48 million in foreign assisted projects. 'We will continue to work with the State Department as well with the US Congress for the implementation of these programs,' he said. 'I conveyed to President Trump that we remain positive about the future of Philippine-US trade, including investment relations, especially in the context of economic security and a fair, balanced reciprocal trade. We expressed our commitment to continue engaging his team to further bolster Philippine-US ties and strengthen Philippines economic security.' Marcos also met with business leaders and top executives of leading global investment, healthcare, infrastructure, and semiconductor companies. 'We return to the Philippines with over $21 billion in investment pledges that have the potential to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Filipinos within our country,' he shared. Further, Marcos was also welcomed by Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in different meetings where they discussed maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. Following his visit, Marcos also expressed his intent to host Trump next year to attend the ASEAN Summit in Manila, which also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Philippines and US diplomatic relations and the 75 years of the Mutual Defense Treaty. 'The United States is our oldest and only treaty ally, and my visit to meet the new president is important in advancing our historic and dynamic cooperation, mutual respect and shared strategic interests,' the Philippine leader said. Relief efforts Moreover, Marcos thanked the US government for its assistance to the Philippines in relief efforts as most parts of the country are affected by the heavy downpour and flooding due to the Southwest Monsoon. 'Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the US government and its people, not only for their warm hospitality during my short visit, but also for extending support to our response efforts in aiding communities and areas affected by the Southwest Monsoon,' he said. 'Sa gitna ng kalidad, inuuna ng inyong pamahalaan ang kaligtasan, kalusugan at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Patuloy ang ating pagtugon sa epekto ng malakas na pag-ulan at pagbaha dulot ng Habagat sa iba't-ibang panig ng bansa,' Marcos added. (In the middle of calamity, your government prioritizes the safety, health and welfare of every Filipino. Our efforts to respond to the heavy rain and flooding caused by the Habagat in different parts of the country will continue.) — RF, GMA Integrated News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store