The Tanggol Migrante Network (TMN), a grassroots alliance advocating for the rights of Filipino migrants, issued a scathing rebuttal to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, accusing officials of deflection, inaction, and abandonment of overseas Filipinos currently facing immigration detention and other forms of distress across the United States.

The statement came in response to the Embassy’s official reply to TMN’s earlier letter demanding immediate intervention and consular assistance for Filipinos affected by intensified immigration enforcement under U.S. policies. TMN denounced the Embassy’s response as “disingenuous” and claimed it failed to address the core issues raised by families and advocates of those detained.

“Rather than acknowledging their responsibility, the Embassy’s statement tries to shift the blame onto those they are supposed to protect,” TMN said. “Their accusation that we 'lack sincerity' is an insult not just to us, but to the very people suffering behind bars.”

TMN cited numerous cases that they say exemplify the Philippine government’s failure to act. Among them:

• Aunty Lynn’s family, who reportedly submitted Assistance to Nationals (ATN) forms four times without receiving meaningful aid.

• Ate Michelle, allegedly denied medical care while in detention.

• Ligaya, who has been subjected to “inhumane conditions” for nearly a decade.

• Max Londonio, detained at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for five days without regular access to food, with no evident intervention from the Philippine Consulate.

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“These are not isolated cases,” TMN asserted. “They represent a pattern of neglect that the Embassy continues to obscure with misleading press releases claiming 'appropriate consular assistance.'”

The group also challenged the Embassy’s framing of their protests, reiterating their democratic right to speak out and organize. “We are compelled to act because silence has consequences. The Embassy’s dismissive tone only proves why our protests matter—because lives are at stake.”

The Embassy’s initial response has not been made public in full, but TMN indicated it contained language suggesting their demands were politically motivated and not representative of the broader Filipino migrant community.

TMN strongly refuted that implication, stating: “We are made up of the very people impacted by mass deportations and systemic neglect. To say we are not sincere is to disregard their voices and struggles.”

As deportation fears mount under new enforcement priorities, TMN vowed to continue mobilizing in support of distressed Filipinos. “So long as the Philippine government refuses to fulfill its duty of care, we will continue to protest, organize, and fight for our kababayan—wherever they may be.”

The Philippine Embassy has yet to issue a follow-up response as of press time.