(File photo)
MANILA – Immigration authorities have prevented a total of 3,359 foreigners of different nationalities from entering the country in 2023.
In a statement Wednesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said nearly half of this number totalling to 1,603 arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) in Pasay City.
This was followed by NAIA 1, NAIA 2, Mactan Cebu International Airport, and Clark International Airport with 1,157, 211, 187, and 143 exclusions, respectively.
These foreigners were deemed undesirable or not properly documented, he added.
The BI chief said most of those barred entry were deemed as likely to become public charges if they are allowed to stay in the country.
In immigration parlance, a public charge pertains to an alien whose presence poses a menace to society or a burden to the government from whom he could depend for subsistence or support while sojourning in the country.
“As gatekeepers of our country, our officers are duty-bound to see to it that only aliens with legitimate purpose of travel are accorded the privilege to visit the country. Illegal aliens and fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines,” Tansingco said.
BI records show that apart from public charges and improperly documented aliens, the list of excluded passengers also include those who were already blacklisted, registered sex offenders, fugitives, and those who were rude towards immigration officers. (PNA)
