BI upholds decision ordering Dutch missionary to leave PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has denied the appeal of Dutch national Otto Rudolf De Vries on the cancellation of his residence visa.

In an order dated Feb. 26, the BI Board of Commissioners denied De Vries’ appeal to reverse the ruling on the cancelation of his permanent residence visa, since the missionary failed to provide evidence to reverse said decision.

De Vries, in his motion for reconsideration submitted on Feb. 8, claimed that the BI Board of Commissioners is without valid and legal cause, BI said.

“His appeal, however, was denied for failure to provide evidence to reverse said decision,” BI said in a statement.

BI canceled De Vries’ visa in November last year following information that he actively participated in several protest rallies in the country.

He has reportedly been in the country since 2019 and has been spotted in rallies in Mendiola and Pasig, among others, BI said.

De Vries has been ordered to immediately leave the country and he has been tagged as an undesirable alien and his name has been included in the BI’s blacklist.

“There were photos of him engaged in several rallies in the country.  Foreigners have no business joining such activities as it is a clear violation of their conditions of stay,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

“Time and time again we remind foreign nationals not to engage in partisan political activities.  There are no exemptions, even permanent residence visas may be canceled for said violation,” he added.

EDV