Amid reports of 'denied entry', Pinoys visiting Israel advised to have legit docs ---By GMA Integrated News

Filipinos intending to visit Israel were advised by the Philippine Embassy to make sure they have legitimate documents, amid reports of some countrymen who were denied entry. "Nakarating sa atensiyon ng Embahada ang naging karanasan ng ilang kababayan na hindi inaprubahan ang pagpasok o 'denied entry' sa bansang Israel," the embassy said in an advisory posted on social media on Thursday. (It has come to the attention of the Embassy that some countrymen were denied entry to Israel.) Although Philippine passport holders have visa-free access to Israel, the embassy clarified that this does not mean guaranteed entry. "Nais po naming bigyang diin na subalit ang Filipino citizens ay visa-free (hindi kailangan ang visa) sa Israel, HINDI ITO GARANTIYA na lahat ng Pilipino ay patutuluyin o makakapasok nang walang aberya sa kanilang pagdating," it added. (We would like to emphasize that despite Filipino citizens having visa-free privilege in Israel, this does not guarantee that all Filipinos will be allowed entry to the country.) The embassy said all visitors to Israel undergo thorough checking by border authorities, and like other nations, Israel has the power to control its borders and deny entry to those who it deems have no legitimate purpose for their visit. "Wala pong kapangyarihan ang ating Embahada na manghimasok dito," it said. (The embassy has no power to intervene.) The embassy advised Filipino visitors to be ready to answer border control officers' questions and prepare all legitimate documents such as hotel bookings, return flight ticket, itinerary, employment record, bank statement, among others. It also advised Pinoys to respect the Israeli culture. "Maging sensitibo din sa kultura, relihiyon at kaugalian ng Israel — hindi po ito bansang Kristiyano. Bagama't pinahihintulutan nila ang religious pilgrimage, iwasan po nating mangaral sa kanila o salungatin ang kanilang paniniwala," the embassy said. (Be sensitive to the culture, religion and custom in Israel — this is not a Christian country. Although religious pilgrimage is allowed, please avoid preaching to them or opposing their beliefs.) It added that Filipinos with inquiries regarding entry to Israel may contact the embassy or the nearest consulate. —KG, GMA Integrated News

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PCG: China’s bullying in West Philippine Sea undermines international law --- Ghio Ong - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — Letting China sustain its aggression in the West Philippine Sea would make other countries doubt the strength of international law currently being asserted by the Philippines, Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. “Allowing China to blatantly disregard the established rules-based order threatens the very foundation that we all depend on,” he wrote in a post on X last Tuesday. He added, “If we permit this, countries worldwide may forget why this order was created in the first place. Nations could begin to doubt the significance of adhering to international law if powerful bullies can easily violate it.” Tarriela also said defiance of other countries to a rules-based order would result in the prevalence of cruelty. He wrote, “This could lead us back to a time when might makes right, undermining the global structures that keep human greed, savagery and barbarism in check. Such a scenario would not only invite challenges from aggressive ...
Read more

China ships maintain presence in key West Philippine Sea areas --- Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star

STAR / Michael Varcas MANILA, Philippines — While Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have decreased in number, they have maintained a presence in three key land features where naval and coast guard ships have intensified operations in the past seven days, according to the Philippine Navy. Latest monitoring by the Philippine Navy showed armed ships of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) maintaining a menacing presence around the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Panatag Shoal and Escoda Shoal. According to the Philippine Navy, there are 17 Chinese military vessels and 28 China Coast Guard (CCG) boats spotted inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between Sept. 23 and 30, or one vessel more than in the previous week Sept.17-23. Five of the warships were seen roaming around the vicinity of Escoda Shoal, along with 10 CCG vessels and 12 maritime militia vessels (MMVs). There are also two PLAN ships in Ayungin Shoal as well as 10 CCG boats and 12...
Read more

Social media seen as cause of rising intermarriages --- Helen Flores - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) sees social media as the main reason for the rising number of Filipinos marrying or becoming partners of foreign nationals. In 2022, the CFO recorded 6,854 marriages or partnerships with foreign nationals, a 40.1 percent increase from the 4,891 “intermarriages” recorded in 2021. “First of all, what we see in the increase in the marriage rate of Filipinos or Filipinos with foreign partners is because of social media, (that) is number one; matchings; letters, introduction of their friends,” CFO chairperson Romulo Arugay said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing yesterday. Arugay said the agency has been registering a high number of intermarriages since 2007, but the figures went down during the COVID-19 pandemic. From over 6,500 Filipinos who married foreign nationals, only 600 are men, he said. Most of them are married to Americans, Japanese, Germans, Canadians and Australians, Arugay said. Arugay warned Fi...
Read more