MANILA, Aug. 22 -- Senator Raffy Tulfo said Friday he has brought to the attention of United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson the plight of Filipino seafarers who claimed they were unfairly deported by US immigration authorities.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, said he used his recent dinner meeting with Carlson to present the accounts of seafarers who testified during a Senate hearing on Aug. 13.

"During our meeting, I raised the serious concerns of our Filipino seafarers to Ambassador Carlson and brought to her attention those who have been refused entry and deported by the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), even without evidence," he said....