Palace backs proposal to stop visa-on-arrival

MANILA, Philippines — He has no problem with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s proposal to remove the visa-upon-arrival privilege for foreigners, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday.

“I agree with Secretary Locsin. Visa issuance really needs vetting. We find it difficult to secure visa abroad because they vet, they check first,” Panelo said in English and Filipino.

But Panelo stressed that President Duterte, as the architect of the country’s foreign policy, has not yet made a stand on Locsin’s suggestion.

On the influx of Chinese visitors that has become a cause of concern for National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Panelo said the administration’s policy is to allow foreign workers only to supply the expertise lacking in the local labor force. 

“Our policy is, we will allow Chinese workers for tasks Filipino workers are not capable of performing,” he said in Filipino.

He said what should worry the government is how undocumented Chinese nationals managed to enter the country. 

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the presence of Chinese nationals would be alarming only if they are taking over Filipino jobs.

“There is cause for alarm if Chinese nationals (or any foreign nationals, for that matter) are getting employed in industries where more than enough Filipino workers are available. There is also cause for alarm when foreign nationals, including Chinese nationals, are coming in as tourists but with intentions that pose a threat to national security,” Guevarra said.

He added that in order to prevent such scenarios, the government should be strict in enforcing laws.

“In all cases, the proper government approach is a more stringent enforcement of our immigration, labor and security regulations,” the DOJ secretary added.

He also clarified that the country would welcome foreigners, including Chinese, for as long as they have the proper documentation and if they abide by regulations in the country.

“For as long as Chinese nationals are coming to our country with proper documentation and appropriate visas, there should be no problem. We surely welcome them as tourists,” he pointed out.

“If they wish to work here, they should comply with all legal requirements such as securing alien employment permits and work visas, and they should pay income taxes. Most important of all, they should obey our laws and ordinances and conduct themselves properly; otherwise, they shall be asked to pack up and leave, without prejudice to any civil or criminal liability,” he added.

No proof of spying

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also allayed Esperon’s concerns, saying there’s no direct proof that Chinese nationals are engaged in espionage operations.

“We don’t have concrete case of espionage here,” Año told Camp Aguinaldo reporters.

Two Chinese tourists were apprehended last July 23 in Palawan while taking pictures inside a Philippine Navy facility in Puerto Princesa City.

Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante, spokesman for the Puerto Princesa City-based Western Command (Wescom), confirmed the incident but gave no further details.

“We have intelligence units in charge of counter intelligence and security purposes. They have projects for this but we don’t see any,” Año said.

Año explained that with their newfound wealth, many Chinese go to other countries to buy properties and invest.

But he stressed the Philippines is not letting down its guard. “We should always be on guard because national security is our priority but we should also be basing our speculations, or our observations, on concrete evidence,” Año said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, for his part, said his men are ready to assist the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in searching for undocumented Chinese nationals in the country.

“If the BI will ask support from us, we are very much willing to verify,” he told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Albayalde clarified the police have no authority to ask for travel documents of any foreigner unless the subject is involved in crime.

Asked if the influx of Chinese nationals is cause for alarm, Albayalde said it is the National Security Council that should determine potential threats to security.

“I really can’t say because I don’t have the exact number,” he said.

But Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Esperon has reason to be concerned about the rising number of Chinese visitors, citing arrest of tourists taking pictures inside a Palawan naval facility.

“I share his view and I agree,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum yesterday.

Lacson said the policy of the BI may have been very lenient in allowing foreigners to enter the country.

He said even a Chinese general had publicly admitted that China is expanding its domain through what he called a cabbage strategy.

He said Locsin’s proposal to remove the visa-upon-arrival policy may be a step in the right direction.