Taiwan’s representative Donald C.T. Lee had demanded an apology and indicated repercussions for Filipinos working in Taiwan. The move has angered Taipei because it appeared to suggest that China, not Taiwan, has jurisdiction over the deportees.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday the deportees were undesirable aliens who were subjects of an arrest warrant and who did not have travel documents when arrested.

Lee said the documents were seized when the suspects were arrested.