PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte is open to the suggestion of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. to put an end to the “visa upon arrival” policy for Chinese tourists. “The President will consider the proposal of the Secretary,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said during a press briefing at the Palace on Thursday when sought for comment on the issue. Mr. Panelo said he personally agrees with the proposal of Mr. Locsin. “Kailangan talaga bini-vet (We really need to vet),” he said, and makes a comparison that Filipinos have a hard time when applying for a visa. Mr. Locsin — reacting to National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr.’s statement that the influx of Chinese nationals into the country is a security threat — said in a Twitter post last Wednesday: “We need to put an end to visas upon arrival; all visas should be issued by consular offices after vetting. We must take extra care in outsourcing any part of the visa application process, picking only the most reputable worldwide.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

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