BI: Watchlist on coup plotters still in effect despite lifting of ‘1017’

Fifty people charged with rebellion remain in the immigration watchlist despite President Arroyo’s lifting of Proclamation No. 1017 that declared a state of national emergency, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday.

Those in the watchlist are exiled communist rebel leaders Luis Jalandoni and Jose Maria Sison; party-list representatives Crispin Beltran, Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Teddy Casiño and Joel Virador; former senator Gregorio Honasan, lawyer Jose Christopher Belmonte, Felix Turingan, Jake Malajacan, Raffy Galvez, and Lt. Lawrence San Juan.

Ferdinand Sampol, Bureau of Immigration head supervisor at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said they are still on the lookout for the 50 personalities in the watchlist.

"The watchlist was not issued in connection with the declaration of a state of national emergency," he said.

"It was issued in connection with the rebellion charges filed by the Department of Justice against the 50 personalities now in the watchlist."

Sampol said the BI would withhold processing the papers of those in the watchlist if they turn up at the NAIA to board a departing flight.

"In the event that they attempt to leave the country we will not process their documents, and then we’ll inform the Department of Justice and the PNP, particularly the office of General Ele," he said.

All immigration examiners at the departure areas at the international passengers terminals of NAIA Terminals 1 and II (Centennial Terminal) are on the lookout for the names of the 50 people in the watchlist, Sampol said. — Rainier Allan Ronda