BI: Foreigners joining protests to be deported

Foreigners who will participate in protest actions against the government can be deported for violating the country’s immigration laws.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan issued a warning after the bureau monitored the presence of some foreign activists among the members of militant groups who demonstrated against the ongoing international forum on migration.

Libanan said he has been receiving reports and photographs that some foreigners are taking part in the mass actions, which could make them liable for violating Philippine immigration laws. “Perhaps, they are not aware that the BI can initiate deportation proceedings against them if they continue to join these mass actions. Foreigners should not abuse our hospitality and their privilege to stay in the country,” he said.

Libanan added the BI will also place in the immigration blacklist of undesirable aliens foreigners caught for participating in protests to prevent them from re-entering the Philippines.

“Foreigners have no business joining these mass actions because it is tantamount to meddling in our country’s internal affairs,” Libanan said.

The BI chief said since the foreign activists entered the country as tourists, their participation in these demonstrations is a violation of the conditions of their admission and stay as visitors.

He issued the statement after reports reached him that various television stations had aired news footages of protest marches organized by leftist groups to protest Sunday’s opening of the four-day Global Forum on Migration Development at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Television stations even aired their interviews with some of the foreigners who joined the mass actions of the militant groups.

More than a thousand foreign labor ministers and other dignitaries from 151 countries are taking part in the conference.

According to BI Associate Commissioner Roy Almoro, the Philippine Immigration Act specifically calls for the deportation of any alien who is a member of an organization that advocates the overthrow of a duly-constituted authority.

Security

At least 42 mobile cars and 38 motorcycles were deployed by the Highway Patrol Group to ferry more than 1,000 foreign delegates from 151 countries and 20 international organizations attending the Global Forum on Migration and Development to their respective hotels and billeting places in Metro Manila.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, commander of the Sub-Task Group “Daloy” said yesterday’s activity is the first official engagement of his unit in the event at the PICC from Oct. 27 to 31.

”We were tasked to provide the mobile and motorcycle escorts for the delegates and ensure that they will arrive fast and safe to their respective destinations, so we have to be very meticuluous with the deployment of our men and ensure close supervision of their movements,” Palad said.

He said some mobile cars and motorcycles’s from the local PNP units such as Quezon City and Manila were detailed to task group “Daloy” to assist them in their operation. 

Relatedly, at least 294 officers and non-officers including reserve mobile and motorcycle crew were utilized. 

Eight motorcycle riders from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were also on standby in case of shortage in resources.  

Palad added that officers and members of HPG Command Group and the Directorial Staff were placed on alert to assist him in the supervision of the deployed personnel.

Palad warned that while they are busy securing delegates at the said forum. Anti-carnapping operatives were also deployed in strategic areas especially in the places of engagements to thwart bad elements who may take advantage of the situation.   – With Non Alquitran