The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded foreigners that they are prohibited from engaging in any political activity in the country.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente reiterated the prohibition in time for the celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary.
According to Morente, foreigners do not enjoy the right to attend protests and mass actions for or against the government, as these may lead to their arrest and deportation. He added that such rights are reserved for Filipino nationals only.
The BI clarified that they have not received any intelligence information about foreigners who will possibly join protests, but are sending out warnings regularly to remind the public of this rule.
“A visitor of a country is allowed to stay here for health, business, or pleasure,” said Morente. “Joining rallies and protests is an utter display of disrespect to the country, and is equivalent to meddling in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation,” he stated.
BI Operations Order No. SBM-2015-025 prohibits foreigners from engaging in political activities while in the country. “Foreigners who join mass actions are violating the conditions of their stay. If found guilty, we will blacklist these foreigners, effectively barring them from re-entering the country,” Morente warned.
