Officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have barred the entry of an American sex offender on Sunday, May 1.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the foreign national as Richard Vincent Boyd Rogers, 55, who was intercepted upon his arrival via a United Airlines flight from Guam.
According to Morente, Rogers was immediately excluded and booked on the first flight back to his port of origin.
“He was excluded pursuant to Section 29(a)3 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, for a crime involving moral turpitude,” said Morente. “We received information about him, prompting our officers to deny his entry. After being excluded, his name has also been placed in our blacklist to ensure that he will not be able to return in the future,” Morente added.
The BI Chief said that sex offenders are not welcome in the Philippines. “They are a threat to public safety,” said Morente. “Our frontline officers at the ports are vigilant and will not waver in upholding the mandate of our bureau,” he added.
Also read: BI-NAIA men banned from going on leave as COVID cases rise
Duterte declares May 9 a non-working holiday
President Rodrigo Duterte has formally declared May 9 a special non-working holiday in conjunction with the 2022 elections.
This was announced by Malacañang, Thursday through Proclamation 1357.
“[There] is a need to declare Monday, 09 May 2022, a special (non-working) holiday to enable the people to exercise their right to vote properly,” Duterte said.
“[This is] subject to the public health measures of the national government.”
The Palace announced the order after the Commission on Elections, several labor rights groups, and progressive candidates urged Digong to declare a special-non working holiday or regular holiday on Monday to entice the public to vote. They are worried that they will have to take time off from work and not receive a salary to vote.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakpawis party-list, and senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares had earlier said that workers and employees would be disenfranchised if this was not possible, primarily since most voters are employed.
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