Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente warned aliens that violating rules set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) may cause filing of deportation charges against them.
According to Morente, foreign nationals are expected to follow Philippine laws, and blatant disregard of rules and persons of authority may be reason for their deportation.
It can be recalled that last year, a Spanish national was blacklisted for allegedly violating the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) policies and for hurling expletives to Makati police.
The Spanish national is now blacklisted and “perpetually banned” from entering the country.
Javier Salvador Parra is barred from re-entering the Philippines after the BI confirmed that he had returned since flying to Madrid three days after the incident, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.
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BI warns aliens disregarding laws during quarantine period may be deported
Morente then said that blacklisting Parra would send a warning to other foreign nationals to obey Philippine laws and respect the police officers enforcing them.
The police officer filed several charges against the Parra, including disobedience to a person in authority, not wearing face mask outside the home, direct assault and violation of Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
Morente reiterated that aliens who disrespect persons of authority may be considered undesirable aliens. “Foreign nationals who disrespect symbols of our country and persons of authority are not welcome in the Philippines,” he warned.
BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. likewise added that they have received reports that some foreign executives of companies in the Philippines violate IATF protocols in their workplaces. “We will be conducting an investigation on these reports, and if found with merit, will file immigration cases against aliens involved,” he stated.
He added that immigration action against erring aliens is separate from criminal cases that may be filed against them by relevant authorities.