THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) barred 133 foreigners from entering the country in 2018, and have been blacklisted, for displaying unruly behavior toward immigration officers. “They were also placed in our immigration blacklist of undesirable aliens, thus they are banned from re-entering the country,” BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton SP. Medina said in a statement. Out of the 133 foreigners, Chinese nationals topped the list with 37, followed by 25 Americans and 23 Koreans. Mr. Medina noted that last year’s number was slightly higher than the 129 recorded in 2017. He also warned foreigners against disrespecting and using foul language in communicating with immigration officers. “The entry and stay of foreigners in the country is only a privilege, not a right. Aliens are not allowed to verbally abuse or disrespect our immigration officers.” BI spokesperson Dana Krizia M. Sandoval said the bureau is strictly imposing a 2009 policy disallowing entry of foreigners “who exhibit arrogance or make offensive utterances against immigration officers” and their inclusion in the blacklist. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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