BI foils entry of Belgian ‘terrorist’ into Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has foiled the entry into the country of a suspected Belgian terrorist and his female companion.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the 31-year-old passenger, whose name was withheld for security reasons, was barred at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 after his name was included in the Interpol list of foreign terrorists on Feb. 7.

Tansingco said the suspect was sent back to his port of origin on an Etihad Airways flight.

The suspect’s companion, a 27-year-old Belgian woman, was also turned back for accompanying a suspected terrorist.

Tansingco said a check with the BI’s Interpol unit revealed that the suspect is the subject of a notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization for his alleged involvement in terrorism-related crimes.

The Belgian was excluded pursuant to the Philippine immigration law, which prevents the entry of a foreigner “who believes in, advises, advocates, or teaches the overthrow by force and violence of constituted law authority.”

Tansingco lauded the immigration personnel at the NAIA for preventing the entry of a suspected terrorist into the country.

“He posed a serious threat to public safety and national security,” he said.

The suspect was included in the BI blacklist, effectively barring him from reentering the Philippines.