TF columnist held at airport

CEBU - Bureau of Immigration agents at the Mactan Cebu International Airport stopped The FREEMAN columnist and University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College professor Cherry Ballescas from boarding a flight for Japan yesterday after receiving information she was on the BI watchlist.

But after more than 20 minutes of waiting inside the BI office at Mactan airport, she was informed that there was an error and she is not the “Cherry” on the watchlist.

Ballescas told The FREEMAN before she and her family could leave, she was surprised when an Immigration agent informed her that she was on their watchlist.

“Nakugang gyud ko pag-ingon nila nga naa ko sa ilang watchlist,” Ballescas said.

But after more than 20 minutes of waiting, Ballescas said she was informed that her name is not on the list after all and the Immigration agents asked forgiveness for her inconvenience.

“Nangayo man hinuon nako og pasaylo ang taga-Immigration, pero dili gyud ko malimot aning ilang gihimo nako,” Ballescas said.

Ballescas eventually left at 7:50 a.m. for Japan where she is scheduled to attend a seminar on human trafficking.

Romeo “Butch” Junia, an official of BI-7, said his personnel at the airport made a mistake and read “Cherry” but failed to verify the middle name and the family name of the columnist.

Junia has assured that his office will conduct a proper investigation into the incident and also asked forgiveness from Ballescas through The FREEMAN.

He invited Ballescas to visit his office in Mandaue City once she returns from Japan so he can personally deliver his apology on behalf of his people at the airport. — Jose P. Sollano/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)