The Bureau of Immigration (BI) barred 124 foreigners from entering different ports of the country in 2024 due to their rude and disrespectful behaviors to immigration officers.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado shared that the number of rude foreigners in 2024 was almost 50 percent higher than the 64 aliens turned away in 2023 for the same offense.

Aside from being returned to their ports of origin, the rude foreigners were also blacklisted and banned from reentering the Philippines. 

Viado said that BI agents will not tolerate any discourteous aliens, and the number they turned away in 2024 should serve as a warning to foreigners to respect the country's officers.

"We again warn foreigners intending to visit the Philippines that they should refrain from being disrespectful when dealing with our officers as such behavior is an affront to persons in authority,” he stressed.

What the BI considered as rude or discourteous behavior are any verbal or physical assault against immigration officers. Anyone who was found to commit such offensive acts against BI officials will be slapped with appropriate sanctions, including being kicked out of the country.

In the case of the 124 foreigners who were turned away in 2024, Viado said that some were found to be drunk and unruly. Some were simply arrogant and uttered expletives against Filipinos and the government.

He cited the case of an unnamed New Zealander, 34 years old, who arrived last Feb. 9 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on board a Cebu Pacific Airlines flight from Melbourne. 

The man presented himself for primary inspection when officers found that he failed to fill out the eTravel. He was requested to step aside and fill out the online form to prevent blocking the queue. However, he refused to do so and he even hurled expletives against the immigration officer.

The said New Zealander then proceeded to brag that the BI commissioner will surely let him enter the country. The BI officials noticed that the man was highly intoxicated.

Contrary to his claim, the BI refused to let him in the country as it upholds strict border security measures and expects that all travellers abide by its requirements. 

Viado stressed: "Foreign visitors are expected to respect our laws and policies. Disrespect towards our officers and refusal to comply with entry procedures will not be tolerated."

"Our officers are trained to ensure a smooth and efficient arrival process, but they are also duty-bound to enforce immigration laws without exception," he warned.