Foreigners banned from political activities, BI says

As the government prepares for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday reminded foreigners that they are strictly prohibited from participating in political activities in the Philippines.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco warned that foreigners involved in acts that seek to overthrow the government, unlawful destruction of property, or violating the conditions of their stay would be deported.

"Being a visitor in the Philippines does not confer rights and privileges akin to those of a Filipino citizen," Tansingco said in a statement.

"Joining political demonstrations is a blatant display of disrespect towards the country's authorities and constitutes meddling in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation," he added.

Foreigners are prohibited from engaging in political activities under an operations order issued by the BI in 2015, according to the agency.

Further, Tansingco said that foreigners found guilty of violating this may be blacklisted.

"If found guilty, we will blacklist these foreigners, effectively barring them from re-entering the Philippines," Tansingco said.

Marcos will deliver his third SONA at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on July 22, Monday. — VDV, GMA Integrated News