Filipino cancer patient released, pending resolution of US deportation case — PH Embassy

A Filipino cancer patient with a green card and detained for alleged violation of US immigration laws, has been released, according to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle.

"Loreto Javar, a Filipino national residing in Washington State, has obtained temporary liberty on recognizance following his release by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pending the resolution of his deportation proceedings. Mr. Javar left the ICE detention facility on the condition that he report to ICE for his scheduled deportation hearings," the embassy said in a statement.

"Since being made aware of Mr. Javar's case, the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle has extended consular assistance to him and his family, including welfare monitoring and close coordination with the relevant authorities," the embassy assured, adding that the Consulate General raised his case directly with ICE, including a request for consideration on humanitarian and medical grounds.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle said that 76-year-old Loreto was arrested on June 23, 2026 for his alleged involvement in a past criminal incident in the Philippines in the 1970s that resulted in the death of a person. The incident was uncovered during Javar's interview with the ICE on his application for US citizenship.

"According to Loreto, he is innocent of the charges against him in the Philippines but admitted his imprisonment for 3 years before he was released on parole. He migrated to the United States in 1995 and has been a resident of this country for more than 3 decades. He is a green card holder," the Consulate said.

The Consulate coordinated with Javar's lawyer and worked to obtain documentary evidence from the Philippines.

"According to Loreto, these documents are critical to the case so as to prove that he already served his sentence in the Philippines and was already legally released."

The Consulate also sent a formal request to the ICE regarding the medical condition of Javar, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The ICE then issued an Order of Release on Recognizance that allowed Javar to be released and receive medical treatment. His release was granted on condition that he reports to ICE for the hearing on his case that has been scheduled on 28 September 2026.

The Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle will continue to monitor Javar's case and medical welfare.

"The welfare of Filipino nationals remains a foremost priority of the Philippine Foreign Service. Filipinos in the United States in need of consular assistance are advised to contact the Philippine Embassy or the Philippine Consulate General which has jurisdiction over their location," the Embassy said. — BAP, GMA News