MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero condemned a reported plan by the United States to deport Asian immigrants—including Filipinos—to Libya, describing the alleged move as “cruel” and a violation of basic human rights.

“Filipinos are not camels to be dumped on some Libyan desert. They are human beings who deserve to be accorded all the rights by a state who claim to cherish and uphold them,” Escudero said in a strongly worded statement.

The Senate leader was reacting to international reports that U.S. immigration authorities, as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified deportation campaign, were allegedly planning to transfer undocumented Asian migrants to third countries, including war-torn Libya. The North African nation has long faced scrutiny from rights groups over its treatment of detainees and migrants.

The plan has sparked widespread condemnation from foreign governments and human rights organizations. A U.S. federal judge has since issued a temporary halt to the deportations, citing concerns that the transfers could violate an earlier court order allowing the migrants to challenge removals to countries other than their own.

Escudero urged the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. to look into the situation and provide legal assistance if needed. 

“I call on Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez to check on the status of all Filipinos scheduled for deportation or transfer to other states and extend legal assistance if necessary to ensure that the rights of those facing legal troubles are protected and that they will not be forced to endure possible persecution in countries with a history of human rights violations,” he said.

He reiterated the Philippines’ willingness to receive its nationals, stressing that there is no justification for deporting them to a third country.

“If the United States wants to deport our citizens, then we are willing to welcome our kababayan back. There is absolutely no need for this cruelty to export them to a third country,” Escudero said. 

“Dignified repatriation of our brothers and sisters is all we seek, not some rendition to an offshore penitentiary in a country which does not want them,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue a statement on the matter.