Why do some Chinese nationals fail to enter PHL? BI explains 

It's not only foreigners who have derogatory records or lack proper documentation who are barred from stepping on Philippine soil by the Bureau of Immigration.

It turns out that even those who could not explain their purpose of travel in English are automatically denied entry.

Such was the case of "many" Chinese nationals who failed to get past the Ninoy Aquino International Airport because they could not express themselves in English which caused misunderstanding with the immigration officers, BI Port Operations Division chief Marc Red Mariñas said Thursday.

BI data show that of the 1,938 foreigners who were denied entry at the NAIA during the first half of the year, 676 or about 35 percent of them were Chinese nationals.

Mariñas, however, did not say how many Chinese nationals were actually denied entry due to language barrier.

To ensure smooth communication between arriving travelers and immigration officers, the BI said it will hire 12 Chinese-speaking Filipinos who will be stationed at the country's main gateway.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the 12 Chinese interpreters will act as translators to immigration officers in conducting primary and secondary inspection of Chinese travelers.

He also said the interpreters, who will be hired on a contractual basis, will be deployed initially to all three terminals of the NAIA where they will comprise the BI administrative support staff and render duties in various work shifts daily.

Applicants for the position must be 40 years old and below, must be proficient in Mandarin, and can also converse in other Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Gan and Min.

Calling it "long overdue," Morente said the recruitment of the interpreters has been repeatedly sought by NAIA-based immigration officers and immigration supervisors, who are having difficulties conversing with Chinese passengers as most of them could not speak English.

He added that even the airline companies do not have interpreters who can help their Chinese passengers communicate with immigration officers. —KG, GMA News