MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has threatened to deport foreigners who will join demonstrations during the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on Monday, citing terms of Philippine immigration laws.
“Follow our laws. It is very simple and clear. Foreign visitors are not allowed to partake in political demonstrations. We allowed your stay in the Philippines, please respect our government and our laws,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement yesterday.
BI Operations Order SBM-2015-025 states that foreign tourists are barred from “joining, supporting, contributing or involving themselves in whatever manner in any rally, assembly or gathering.”
The BI chief said violators – including foreigners who will commit acts that constitute overthrowing the government, unlawful destruction of property – will be penalized for violating the conditions of their stay.
“Joining political demonstrations is an utter display of disrespect to the authorities and is equivalent to meddling in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation,” said Morente, who recalled six cases where foreigners were deported after being caught joining street protests.
In 2013, Dutch citizen Thomas van Beersum was deported after being photographed joining a protest and taunting a crying policeman, while Canadian student Kim Chatillon-Miller was deported for joining an anti-SONA demonstration in the same year.
Just last year, Australian nun Patricia Fox was denied renewal of her visa for violating the conditions of her stay and participating in partisan political activities, while three others – Zimbabwean Tawanda Chandiwana, American Adam Thomas Shaw and Malawian Miracle Osman – were also deported for involvement in leftist activities.
Morente added that under the law, a visitor of the country does not have the same political rights and privileges as a Filipino.
Apart from deportation, he said they would also be blacklisted by the government and barred from re-entering the country.
Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Bayan (Bayan) has announced mass actions in various parts of Metro Manila to protest the supposedly worsening human rights situation in the country.
In a statement issued yesterday, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said groups will converge in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to hold a “United People’s SONA.”
“The organizers expect a generally peaceful yet militant mass action on Monday, with national sovereignty, human rights and the economy as key issues in the protest,” said Reyes, who bared that protests would also be held in other parts of the country. – With Elizabeth Marcelo, Emmanuel Tupas, Delon Porcalla