3,359 foreigners barred to enter PH in 2023 — BI

FILE PHOTO: Bureau of Immigration (BI) logo and building facade. INQUIRER / ALEXIS CORPUZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday that more than 3,300 foreigners were not allowed to enter the country in 2023.

According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, 3,359 foreigners were barred for being undesirable or having improper documentation.

The BI added that most of them arrived from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

READ: BI probe exposes 459 foreigners in visa scam

Included in the reasons that the BI noted for non-entry were sex offenses that the foreigners committed in other countries, being wanted fugitives, as well as being rude to immigration personnel.

Tansingco added that the BI will only admit foreigners with legitimate reasons for arriving in the Philippines and that those with irregularities are “not welcome.”

“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,” he said.

“Illegal aliens and fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines,” he added

READ: BI stops seemingly underage-looking woman from leaving for Oman as OFW