PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday the government will continue enforcing fair and stricter visa rules to foreigners visiting the Philippines.
During a media interview following the distribution of Presidential Assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families in Cagayan De Oro City, President Marcos stressed there are “no special rules” for visas.
However, there’s stricter enforcement in evaluating visa applications, the Chief Executive said.
“Walang special na rules para sa kahit na kanino. Pantay-pantay lang lahat pero gagandahan namin ang enforcement doon sa examination sa mga nag-a-apply ng visa o doon sa mga nagco-convert sa tourist visa na student visa, at ‘yung mga bumibili ng lupa dahil [nagpapanggap] sila na Pilipino sila,” President Marcos said.
The President made the remarks over reports that some foreigners are abusing the visa privileges to the extent of compromising national security. The abuse may often result to problems such as falsifying documents, scamming and human trafficking, among others.
“Ang problema lang dahil maliwanag na maliwanag, lumalabas sa mga report na mayroon nang-aabuso nito, kaya babantayan natin ito. So, what we will do is to enforce more strictly,” President Marcos pointed out.
“Kaya titiyakin natin na kung mayroon talagang papasok ay tiyakin natin na talagang tama naman sila at tsaka ‘wag silang nagpapanggap. Basta nakapasok na sila, magpapanggap sila na Pilipino sila, maligawanag na hindi,” he said.
Asked to comment on the controversy surrounding Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, the President said it is still under investigation. He said concerned government agencies and the Senate are working together to bring light on the issue.
He also assured the public of stricter measures to prevent the unfortunate incident from happening again.
“Kaya’t ‘yun ang babantayan natin. Na hindi na mangyari uli ‘yan. Mabawasan ‘yung mga incidence na magpasok ng kung sino man. Not necessarily isang bansa lamang ng kung sino mang foreign national. Kung nagpapanggap nga na Pilipino ay talagang tingnan natin nang mabuti,” the chief executive said.
President Marcos also warned of arresting anyone involved in human trafficking and scamming as authorities are closely monitoring cases. “Yung mga nakikita nating scammer, ‘mga human trafficking, ‘yun ang binabantayan namin. Kahit naman sino basta’t ginagawa nila ‘yan, huhulihin natin,” he stressed.
