Gov’t will enforce laws vs. errant tourists: Palace

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the assurance following reports that a man, suspected to be a foreign national, was photographed defecating at the Baluarte de Dilao in Intramuros, Manila. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — The government will enforce immigration laws against misbehaving foreign tourists in the country, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the assurance following reports that a man, suspected to be a foreign national, was photographed defecating at the Baluarte de Dilao in Intramuros, Manila.

The Intramuros Administration (IA) later denied that the incident took place since its personnel did not find any proof that it happened.

Photographs of four Chinese-looking men urinating along Ayala Avenue in Makati also made the rounds on social media.

Panelo, however, assured that the government will not allow tourists, both foreign and local, to violate the law.

“Our policy is very clear. The immigration laws are to be enforced as well as all laws relative to the staying of any foreign national in this country,” Panelo said.

“We will not allow any violation on any law by any citizen whether foreign or local,” he added.

The Palace official also assured that authorities will investigate all reports of violations by tourists and violators will be slapped with administrative sanctions.

In August 2019, footage of a tourist letting her child defecate on a Boracay beach prompted authorities to close a portion of the world-famous tourist destination.

The foreigners who figured in the pooping incident violated the anti-littering ordinance that prohibits littering, urinating, defecating, spitting and dumping trash in public places.