THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) warned foreigners in the country against engaging in political activities such as rallies, less than a week before President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA). In a statement on Wednesday, BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said a foreigner visiting the country does not enjoy the political rights and privileges of a Filipino. “Joining political demonstrations is an utter display of disrespect to the country’s authorities, and is equivalent to meddling in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation,” he said. Foreigners are prohibited from engaging in political activities in the country under BI Operations Order No. SBM-2015-025. Violators could be deported and even blacklisted if proven to be committing other crimes such as destruction of property. Last year, Australian nun Patricia Fox was denied renewal of her visa for participating in partisan political activities while Zimbabwean Tawanda Chandiwana, American Adam Thomas Shaw, and Malawian Miracle Osman were ordered to leave for engaging in leftist activities. Dutch citizen Thomas van Beersum was deported after being photographed joining a protest and Canadian student Kim Chatillon-Miller was told to leave for participating in an anti-SONA demonstration. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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