BI BLACKLISTED 2 CHINESE TRAVEL WRITERS FOR ASSAULTING BALSY'S HUSBAND
MANILA, JULY 25, 2011 (TRIBUNE) Two Chinese travel writers involved in a mid-flight brawl with President Aquino's brother-in-law have been ordered to leave the Philippines, an official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday said.
The pair, part of a media tour to encourage tourism to the country, were on a flight to the central resort island of Cebu when they are alleged to have attempted to choke Eldon Cruz, the husband of Aquino's elder sister Maria Elena "Ballsy" Cruz, who had asked them to tone down their voices.
The Immigration commis-sioner said the two must fly out by Sunday night (July 24) and had been blacklisted from returning to the Philippines, according to Immigration spokesman Maria Antonette Mangrobang.
"They are departing tonight. It was an order to leave the country immediately and for their inclusion in the blacklist," she added.
No criminal complaints have been filed against the two Chinese, Mangrobang said, adding that they have been turned over to their embassy's consul.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters that strong action was needed to deter troublesome visitors.
"We welcome anyone who visits our country (but) we don't need tourists who are rude, violent and ill-mannered," he said.
Chinese Embassy spokesman Sun Yi downplayed the incident, saying it was a "misunderstanding" and that both sides had settled the matter.
"The issue has been addressed appropriately," he said without elaborating.
The Philippines has been trying to repair its image with Chinese and Hong Kong travellers after a tourist bus hijacking tragedy in Manila in August left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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