9 Belgians blacklisted for joining anti-SONA rally

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has banned nine Belgian nationals from entering the country for taking part in the protest rally against the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo last July 27.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan issued last Thursday the order placing Johan Demyttenaere, Mario Alessander Bauwens, Stefanie Devloo, Nicky Broeckhoven, Marlies Geldof, Jelle Eeckhout, Greet Vantieghem, Mattia de Pauw, and Chiara Donadoni in the immigration blacklist.

Libanan ordered the foreign nationals to leave the country within five days.

Libanan said the Belgians were blacklisted “for engaging in prohibited political activity in violation of the terms and conditions of their visa as temporary visitors in this country.”

The BI chief cited a report from the police in Bacoor, Cavite about the Belgians’ participation in an anti-government rally last July 22 wherein the protesters marched in the towns of Dasmariñas, Imus and Bacoor to protest the SONA. – Helen Flores, Rudy Santos