Bb. Pilipinas denies not doing anything about Samantha Lo’s travel issue

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zjVLEl9Po/

Finally breaking its silence, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) belied allegations that it did not help Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2019 Samantha Lo with her travel issues going to Venezuela, where the much-awaited pageant is scheduled to be held.

This, after Lo said in an Instagram post that a “local organizer,” which she did not name, “failed to equip me with the proper transit visa” that resulted in the delay of her flight to Venezuela.

She added that the organizer was not the one that “got me out of detention and put me safely on that plane to come back home.”

In its statement posted on its Facebook page, BPCI confirmed that Lo was “detained” by immigration officials in Paris, France due to “issues with her Philippine passport.”

https://www.facebook.com/realbbpilipinas/photos/pb.161067400616853.-2207520000.1571635460./2629959120394323/?type=3&theater

Last Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed that Lo has no existing record in its passport database.

[READ: DFA confirms Miss Grand International bet Samantha Lo has no record in passport database]

BPCI said Lo’s parents admitted during a meeting with them and the DFA officials that their daughter was able to secure her passport through a “fixer.”

“Ms. Lo also holds a US (United States) passport and, therefore, a transit visa is not needed,” it said.

“Past Binibini Queens have done this and have encountered no problems in their travels without transit visas,” it added.

The organization said it was “aware” of the incident and that upon learning about Lo’s situation in Paris, they “immediately called” the DFA to assist her.

“We are grateful for the intervention of Undersecretary [Brigido] Dulay, which otherwise would have resulted in very serious consequences for Samantha,” it explained.

It added that they want to help the beauty queen in resolving the matter, but the organization said they were no longer able to communicate with Lo or her family in the last few days.

The BPCI also said they initially have no plan to issue a statement, but due to Lo’s social media post, they decided to speak up “to ensure that only facts are presented, nothing else.”

“For over five decades, BPCI has been sending Filipina delegates to international beauty pageants and we have always adhered to travel requirements set by the countries where our Binibinis compete,” it stressed.

The Miss Grand International 2019 coronation night will be held on October 25.

Although the past few days have not been easy for her, Lo said in her post that she hopes to “bring home the crown and glory to the Philippines and our people.”