MANILA, Philippines – Records worsened for the Philippines after the Japanese government deported 75 more Filipinos who violated immigration rules.

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, July 9, confirmed the deportation of 54 adult males, 13 adult females, and 8 children from Japan. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the deported Filipinos arrived Saturday, July 6, via a chartered flight.

The Philippines is the country with the 3rd most immigration violators in Japan. 

Hernandez said that before the 75 Filipinos’ deportation, over 200 Filipinos stayed in Japan immigration centers. The Philippines had the most nationals there.

Hernandez added that the Philippine government assisted the Filipino nationals involved, “to ensure the safety and welfare and the humane and dignified treatment of Filipino nationals during deportation.”

“For instance, our embassy successfully negotiated the exclusion of women and children from the use of handcuffs during deportation, as well as the removal of handcuffs from male returnees upon entry into Philippine airspace,” he said.

The spokesman noted that it is Japan’s standard practice to use handcuffs during the deportation of foreigners.

Hernandez also said the Philippines issued travel documents to those without valid passports, and Filipino medical personnel assisted Filipinos upon their arrival. – Rappler.com