The Bureau of Immigration barred more than 3,300 foreigners who were deemed undesirable or not properly documented from entering the Philippines last year.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said some 3,359 foreigners of varying nationalities were excluded in 2023, most of whom arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Tansingco said except for those who were denied entry due to minor infractions, such as failure to secure entry visas or procure return tickets, the rest of the foreigners who were turned back were blacklisted and banned from entering the country for being undesirable aliens.
According to the BI chief, the bulk of the excluded aliens were refused admission after they were deemed as likely to become public charges if they are allowed to stay here.
In immigration parlance, a public charge pertains to an alien whose presence here poses a menace to society or a burden to the government from whom he could depend for subsistence or support while in the country.
“As gatekeepers of our country, our officers are duty-bound to see to it that only aliens with legitimate purpose of travel are accorded the privilege to visit the country. Illegal aliens and fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines,” Tansingco said.