Rude arrival

An American tourist was barred from entering the country the other day when he allegedly molested Filipino women on board the plane and did not respect immigration officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a report, NAIA immigration agent Johnny Lee said Davis Downey Knowlton was brought back to his port of origin in Bangkok, Thailand due to "arrogance."

The immigration report said Knowlton arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 at 5:55 p.m. on board Philippine Airlines flight R-731 from Bangkok.

While waiting for his turn for admission, Knowlton lit up a cigarette so Lee approached him and informed him that the NAIA-2 was a no-smoking airport.

Instead of heeding Lee, the American took a puff and blew cigarette smoke at the immigration officer’s face.

Knowlton handed Lee the cigarette telling him to put it out himself, which immigration officials said was "a clear disrespect for a person in authority."

The American passenger then started cursing people around him, blowing his nose and spitting on the floor of the immigration area of NAIA-2.

Knowlton was invited inside the immigration office to avoid a bigger scandal.

Other passengers later told immigration officials that Knowlton, while on board the aircraft, was quite disrespectful and unruly.

They claimed Knowlton molested Filipinas inside the plane, as well as attempting to choke a certain Alejandro Ladine for no apparent reason, the immigration report said.

Another American passenger told immigration agents that Knowlton also cursed at everyone inside the plane. – Sandy Araneta