From Ang Bayan: Relatives, Friends, And Illegally Detained Filipino Migrants Establish Organization In The US

Ang Bayan Ngayon | December 23, 2025

Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM) officially announced, through an online press conference, the establishment of Families of Filipinos in Detention (FFIND) on December 18. FFIND is an organization of relatives, friends, and illegally detained Filipino migrants in the US. At the press conference, relatives of Filipino migrants and immigrants who are currently or were previously detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities attended.

FFIND emerged from the relentless struggle of the victims of ICE’s illegal detention, their relatives, the Filipino community and organizations under TMM. In the process of launching campaigns, detainees’ relatives and close friends worked together to provide mutual moral support.

FFIND will launch and lead campaigns to free their detained family members, raise resources and funds for legal cases and family needs, and provide mutual moral support. It will also spearhead advocacy efforts at local, national, and international levels to hold US and Philippine government officials accountable.

FFIND will be part of Tanggol Migrante Movement and Defend Migrants Alliance.

At the press conference, the relatives of Tita Rebecca, Yakub, and Zenar Dela Cruz, and former detainees Maximo Londonio and Ligaya Jensen, shared the importance of forming the group.

“FFIND is family finding our family and finding our love ones… supporting them, advocating for them, standing up to this fascist regime and holding this govt (US) accountable… [also] the Philippine government, because they’re just as guilty for how we’re living in now. Now FFIND is our additional family and now we’ve grown and grown and we reach the place we didn’t think we would,” Tita Rebecca’s daughter April Lowe explained.

They also expressed disappointment and anger at the US consulate and embassy officials for their lack of concern and interest regarding their detained relatives. Worse, they were even openly told to stay away from members of TMM.

“For Ambassador Romualdez, it is a shame for me to look at you as a Philippine ambassador, to represent the people of the Philippines. You are a disgrace… You abandoned us, you have no compassion or concern for our situation, though it is your responsibility to protect us. I demand you to step down with Bernice Santayana and all corrupt officials. We need a government for the people,” Maximo Londonio said.

At present, TMM and FFIND are campaigning for the release of Kuya G, Kuya R, Kuya Darren, Tita Rebecca, Ya’akub Ira, and Kuya Sonny.

Migrante USA, Crossroads Justice Ministry, International Migrants Alliance, and International Association of Machinists also expressed solidarity with the establishment of FFIND.