US embassy denies revoking tourist visas of Filipinos amid nCoV scare

The US Embassy in Manila on Monday denied a supposed advisory circulating on social media that Washington has revoked tourist visas for Filipinos due to the novel coronavirus and President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement.

"We’re aware of a fraudulent advisory alleging the suspension of all tourist visas and processing. This claim is false," said US embassy spokesperson Heather Fabrikant.

Fabrikant said US visa policy in the Philippines had not changed.

"Impostors spread misinformation by claiming to be an official U.S. source. The official U.S. Embassy website at https://ph.usembassy.gov/ and our official social media platforms are the best sources for accurate and current information," Fabrikant said.

A screenshot of a fake US Embassy Philippines website indicated that US State Department had ordered its diplomatic mission in Manila to "cancel/revoke all current and existing B1 and B2 visas" of Filipino nationals effective Feb. 15.

The fake post said the US Embassy would refuse tourist visa applications of Filipinos.

"This is due to the security threat of the 2019 NCOV that may enter the United States from foreign individuals."

"On the other hand, President Rodrigo R. Duterte has initiated the termination of the VFA that will take effect 180 days after receipt of the United States Government of the Letter of Termination. Due to this, the US Department of State shall also suspend all B1/B2 visas indefinitely," the fake post said.

Currently, three confirmed coronavirus cases have been recorded in the Philippines. The country was also the first to have recorded the first nCov-related death outside Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus.

Last month, President Duterte threatened to scrap the VFA in retaliation for the US government's move to cancel the visa of his close aide, former police chief and now senator, Roland Dela Rosa, who carried out his government's violent anti-drug war. —with Tina Panganiban-Perez/NB, GMA News