In July, over 700 foreigners barred from entering Philippines

For failing to justify their travel to the country, more than 700 foreigners were turned away in July as part of the Bureau of Immigration (BI)’s drive against undesirable aliens. The BI said most of those barred from entering the Philippines were Chinese tourists, while the rest were from other Asian countries. In July, 720 aliens were not allowed to enter the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other ports of entry due to their inability to explain the purpose of their visit. (Image: Inquirer) BI commissioner Jaime Morente explained that the foreigners who were turned away “were likely to become public charges.” Also refused entry to the Philippines were aliens who were improperly documented and those on the agency’s derogatory list. “Under immigration laws, a foreigner is a public charge if his presence here would constitute a burden to the state, thus he is deemed undesirable and therefore excludable,” Morente...