For their "rudeness and disrespectful behavior," three Malaysian tourists were barred from entering the Philippines last Friday night, Nov. 24.

They were identified by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as Tan Hoong Kiat, 35; Lim Fong Teng, 31; and Khoo Seok Hun, 30.  They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong, it said.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco ordered the inclusion of the three Malaysians in the BI’s blacklist of undesirable aliens.

“Foreigners who come here should accord respect and courtesy to persons of authority of their host country.  Their stay here is a mere privilege and not a right, hence they should not malign and insult our immigration officers,” Tansingco declared.  

Citing reports from immigration officers at NAIA, Tansingco said the Malaysians were barred entry when they uttered insulting and unpleasant words when asked to present their outbound or return tickets which they did not have.

The reports also stated that while immigration officers were explaining the need to show the plane tickets, the Malaysians “became rude, shouted expletives and refused to calm down.”

Thus, the three foreigners were booked on the first available flight to their port of origin, Tansingco said.

Under immigration rules, foreign tourists who visit the Philippines must procure and present their return tickets to BI officers at the port of entry and their failure to do so can be a ground to exclude them for being improperly documented aliens.

Also, a memorandum order issued by the BI more than a decade ago provides for the outright denial of entry to aliens who are “rude and discourteous when being processed and interviewed by BI officers upon their arrival.”