US visa-free policy for Pinoys a hoax, PHL embassy in Washington says April 23, 2014 7:55am

A supposed online news report claiming the United States has announced a "no-visa" policy for Filipinos is just a hoax, Philippine officials there said.

In a statement posted on its website Wednesday PHL time, the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. said there is no truth to such reports.

"The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines would like to inform the public that there is no truth to what appears to be an online news report that the United States has announced a ‘no visa’ policy for Filipinos. The Embassy has been in touch with the US Department of State, which has denied making such an announcement," it said.

The Embassy added the online article being circulated in social media is "a satirical piece that should not be taken seriously."

It referred to an article on the Adobo Chronicles, which claimed the US State Department announced a "life-changing new policy for Filipinos."

"Visas will no longer be required to travel to the United States. The policy to take the Philippines off the list of countries whose citizens are required to obtain visas for travel to the U.S. is effective immediately," the Adobo Chronicles article said.

The article added the supposed new policy came after a recent survey showing that an "overwhelming majority of Filipinos have a favorable view of the United States," where the Philippines ranked first in a global survey on the image of the United States worldwide.

Also, it claimed US Secretary of State John Kerry said the State Department "made this monumental decision as a way to reward the Filipinos for making the U.S. really look good in the survey."

It added the “no visa” policy comes just in time for the visit to the Philippines by US President Barack Obama next week.

However, a look at the Adobo Chronicles' profile indicated the site is "the best source of unbelievable news."

Still, it did not stop some netizens from posting the article on their social media accounts. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News

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