The government here in the Philippines are trying to balance the nation’s need of security and the gains from attracting foreign tourists. Specifically speaking, the spotlight is currently on the handling of visa requirements from Chinese tourists as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) made clear the need to help ensure national security, according to a GMA Network news report.
The BI responded to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals could harm the nation’s tourism as well as the businesses connected with tourist activities. Take note that criminal/illegal activities involving Chinese nationals happened many times here in the Philippines (click here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Sunday that tightening the visa requirements for Chinese tourists would also help the Philippines protect national security, considering the illegal activities involving Chinese nationals.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained that while tourism is very important to the Philippine economy, the government also needs to implement stricter measures to protect public interest.
“We also have to look into the national security issue, the safety of the country. Kung merong mga ilegal na ginagawa [if there are illegal activities], I think it’s also important to have strict measures kung may nakikita na tayo na kakaibang nangyayari [if we see anything different happening] or mga activities that are probably inimical to national security or public interest,” she said.
Sandoval made the remark in reaction to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines could “discourage tourism and hurt businesses.”
She said that the BI has always been strict in inspecting arriving foreign nationals, particularly those involved in illegal activities.
Several Chinese nationals have reportedly been involved in organized crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, and fraud. Some of them were also linked illegally working for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
This prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to tighten the Philippines’ visa requirements for Chinese tourists amid a high number of fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China.
The DFA, however, ruled out ongoing tensions with China in disputed areas in the South China Sea as the reason for imposing more stringent visa measures for Chinese visitors.
Sandoval welcomed this development, saying it would add a layer of security in the Bureau of Immigration’s assessment of foreign nationals entering the Philippines.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese visitors could hurt Philippine tourism? Do you think that Chinese tourists could not behave themselves while they are in the country? Do you want visa rules on all Chinese visitors be tightened for the long-term? Did a Chinese national cause trouble in your local community lately?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
+++++
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Author Carlo Carrasco 