MANILA, July 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States deported Thursday 89 Filipino immigrants "for various reasons," reported local mediaFriday.

    The "Today" and the "Manila Standard" newspapers quoted customs officials as saying that the deportees were flown into the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport aboard an American TransAir flight from Ontario, California.

    The deportation coincided with arrival home of Filipino truck driver Angelo dela Cruz, released by Iraqi militants after President Arroyo ordered the pullout of Filipino humanitarian contingent from Iraq.

    The reports said that the deportees were handcuffed during partof the flight "because some of them had been charged with crimes such as assault, car theft and drug-related activities".

    The handcuffs were removed by US immigration agents upon entering Philippine air space.

    Another group of Filipino immigrants deported by US authorities were due to arrive Friday morning, said the reports. Enditem