Sec. Locsin wants to remove ‘visas upon arrival’ privilege, "we must take extra care...'

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. photo from GMA (ctto)

Manila, Philippines – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Wednesday, that he is proposing to remove the visas-upon-arrival privilege for foreigners entering our country.

This prompted him as the report from the National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., warns that the influx of so many Chinese tourists in the country could be a security threat as some of them were even undocumented.

“We need to put an end to visas upon arrival; all visas should be issued by consular offices after vetting,” Locsin posted on his Twitter.

“We must take extra care in outsourcing any part of the visa application process, picking only the most reputable worldwide,” he added.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) started issuing visas to Chinese nationals on their arrival in the Philippines to attract more tourists from China since 2017.

But the number of Chinese nationals arriving in the Philippines has tripled since 2016 with the majority of them working for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo).

The presence of Chinese tourists has some economic benefits. They would often fill up hotel rooms and office towers, swamp condominiums and boost retail sales.

But the public has become more concern as the Chinese workers were taking more jobs that was supposed to be for Filipinos, they are not even paying their taxes and committing crimes.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained that the number of Chinese in the Philippines increased due to the thriving call center and online gaming businesses in the country. Proof that the Philippines has emerging industries.

According to BI data, there were 20,956 Chinese nationals holding 9G visa, or the pre-arranged employment visa, in 2017. This figure increased to 22,599 in 2018.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente has directed to strengthen intelligence division of the bureau to crackdown illegal aliens entering our country.

Source: Inquirer