BI bans rowdy Israeli from RP

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan reported yesterday that an Israeli citizen, who reportedly caused a commotion at the Philippine embassy in Israel two months ago, has been barred from entering the country.

In a statement, Libanan said the request to ban Alberto Rosenfeld was made by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Domingo Lucenario Jr.

The Israeli should be blacklisted for reportedly “disturbing the peace and harmony” at the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv and “besmirched the honor of government officers.”

Libanan said the 72-year-old Rosenfeld is an undesirable alien because he reportedly caused a commotion and maligned Filipino consuls when he accompanied his son to the Philippine embassy in Israel.

Philippine Ambassador to Tel Aviv Petronila Garcia said Rosenfeld caused a disturbance at the embassy last June 22 when the latter shouted invectives at the embassy staff after he was politely told to sit at the waiting area while his son’s visa was being processed.

But instead of complying, he allegedly shouted, “Don’t talk to me. You are nobodies. I am a medical doctor, a citizen of the United States and Israel.”

He also challenged the embassy personnel to a fistfight and said, “Go ahead raise your hands against me.”

He then boasted of having connections with powerful people such as former President Fidel Ramos and former Filipino diplomats. If he wanted to, he added that he could even have the personnel removed or reprimanded.

The DFA has already issued  a circular to all its posts abroad  not to issue any visa to Rosenfeld.      – Evelyn Macairan