On July 11th, Tanggol Migrante Network and the International Association of Machinists Local 695 gathered outside the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) to celebrate the release of Maximo Londonio, also known as Kuya Max, and to express solidarity with detainees enduring the abhorrent conditions at the NWDC.
Kuya Max expressed deep gratitude to the community and labor solidarity that have been fighting for his release since he was detained on May 15.
“Thank you for all your guys’ support, I really appreciate it,” said Kuya Max to a cheering crowd, holding his wife Crystal’s hand.
“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!”
Max’s release comes after months of detention, including nearly a month in solitary confinement.
The day before Max’s hearing, Deputy Consulate General Maria Paz Cortes and Assistant to Nationals Officer Bernice Santayana made a surprise visit to the NWDC and met with ICE; however, they did not disclose the contents of that meeting.
The consular officers tried to join Max’s hearing, but the Londonios declined to have the Consulate present in court.
“We are not here for publicity,” said Crystal Londonio, Max’s wife of 20 years.
“We are here to bring awareness to the unjust circumstances that our loved ones face.”
She reiterated that the hearing was for “family and those that truly stood by us since day one.”
Migrante and Anakbayan members confronted the Consulate in the lobby, asking them to meet with the Tanggol Migrante Network and to meet the demands of the Filipino detainees still appealing for genuine support.
Cortes refused the meeting with Tanggol Migrante Network, just as the Embassy and its consulates continue to refuse meetings with the Filipino community and the families of the detained. They said that they “did not have time.”
Cortes claimed they “have been in constant communication with the Filipino detainees.”
However, Kuya Max and other detainees described that this is false. Cortes claimed to be providing “adequate support” for Kuya “G,” whose court hearing is on July 22nd.
This was also not true: the Philippine Consulate has not yet offered alternative legal representation or Assistance to Nationals funds to Kuya G.
Alleged promises, such as providing $300 in commissary to all Filipino detainees, have also been found false.
Tanggol Migrante demands that the Consulate fulfill his request for financial support and legal representation, expedited immediately.
The Consulate also did not commit to protecting Filipino migrants from being deported to a third country, such as Libya.
Despite the insincere response from the Philippine Consulate, Kuya Max’s release is the latest victory in a series of Tanggol Migrante Network’s efforts to fight for Filipino migrants in distress.
Other victories include the recent releases of Ate Michelle, Lewelyn Dixon, and Rodante Rivera, three Filipino green card holders.
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