Chinese nationals top list of barred foreigners in 2018

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. — Duterte fires Bacolod City police chief, 4 others

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has fired Senior Supt. Francisco B. Ebreo as Bacolod City police chief and four other officials for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs. Mr. Duterte made the announcement at a businessman’s birthday party at the L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod that he attended last Saturday, according to a press release from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Sunday, Jan. 13. “I’d like to know if the chief of police is here. If you are here kindly stand up because you are fired as of this moment,” the President was quoted as saying. “In your involvement in drugs and making the people of Bacolod miserable, I am relieving and dismissing you from the service as of now, Senior Superintendent Francis Ebreo,” he added. He also announced the dismissal of four other police officials assigned in the city, naming “Superintendent Tayuan... And Superintendent Yatar... And there is Victor Paulino, police SI... Macapagal, you are out.” The PCOO also said that the police officers were ordered to report to the Office of the President this Monday at 2 p.m. Mr. Duterte said these cops are protectors of the drug syndicate in Bacolod City. — Restored Sunburst Park inaugurated

ILOILO CITY’S Sunburst Park, originally known as Plaza de Aduana, was formally reopened last Friday after undergoing a P19-million restoration and development work. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Joselito D. Paragas, who led the turnover ceremony of the renovated park to the city government, said he hopes that the landmark will be properly maintained for sustainable tourism. “Now that we already turned over this Sunburst Park to the city government, the maintenance and operation management will be under their authority. It’s up to them to develop it or enhance it,” Mr. Paragas said. TIEZA implemented the renovation, which was initiated by Iloilo native Senator Franklin M. Drilon as part of the Iloilo Heritage and Urban Renewal Project. The Sunburst Park, located in front of the Iloilo Customs House, was named after the US Army 40th Infantry Sunburst Division that helped liberate Panay from the Japanese during World War II. The restored public space features a walkway, chess playground, and park benches. —