BI bars entry of blacklisted Aussie professor

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that it has barred the entry of Australian professor Gill Hale Boehringer on August 8. (Photo: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that it has barred the entry of Australian professor Gill Hale Boehringer on August 8.

In a news release issued Thursday, Immigration Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said Boehringer arrived in Manila past midnight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 from Guangzhou, China.

“He was excluded for being blacklisted,” she said.

Sandoval said Boehringer was the subject of an order issued last year prohibiting Boehringer’s entry upon receipt of a report and recommendation for blacklisting from government intelligence sources.

Boehringer reportedly participated in a rally in November 2015 which is “in clear violation of the BI Operations Order prohibiting foreigners in engaging in political activities in the Philippines”.

Sandoval said foreigners may be included in the blacklist “in the interest of public safety”.

She added that they receive information on foreigners through various sources, including other government agencies and foreign counterparts “to ensure that no undesirable alien enter or remain in the country,” and that they immediately take action on reports on foreigners violating immigration laws.

She noted that the rule is if a foreigner is found to possess grounds for undesirability when in the country, he is charged with deportation.

However, if the foreigner is outside the country, the process is summary, and he is immediately included in the BI’s blacklist.

“Inclusion in the blacklist means that the subject is a threat to public order and safety, and blacklisting minimizes that risk,” Sandoval said.

She clarified that foreigners are afforded due process by allowing them to file a request for lifting to the Immigration Commissioner.

“If he submits sufficient proof to reverse the blacklist, it may be lifted accordingly,” Sandoval said.

In 2014, nine foreign journalists were also similarly included in the blacklist for heckling then president Benigno Aquino III. (BI PR)