Concerns Over ASEAN Unified Visa System
For reelected Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Representative Rufus Rodriguez, the proposal for the Philippines to join the planned ASEAN unified visa system is a clear no. He warns that this four-word keyphrase, ASEAN unified visa system, could open the door for an influx of Chinese spies entering the country unnoticed.
In a statement released on May 21, local sources familiar with the matter reported that Rodriguez urged President Marcos to instruct the Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to pull her agency’s backing of the initiative. The proposed ASEAN unified visa system is designed to work similarly to Europe’s Schengen visa, allowing multiple-country access with a single permit.
Security Risks Highlighted by Lawmaker
Rodriguez expressed that joining this visa system “will pose greater risk to our national security and interest, our people and our society than the present set-up.” He explained that the system would enable tourists who are actually Chinese intelligence operatives to obtain ASEAN visas through countries like Cambodia and Laos, or through Thailand’s more lenient visa policies for Chinese citizens. Once issued, these individuals could enter the Philippines freely under the ASEAN visa scheme.
He elaborated, “This will be more dangerous to our national security than our present visa issuance process.” According to community leaders, Chinese nationals have already been able to enter the Philippines posing as tourists, students, and businessmen, some of whom were apprehended near sensitive locations such as military sites and government offices, including those linked to the Commission on Elections.
Existing Threats from Illicit Activities
Reports indicate that many Chinese nationals in the country have been involved in scams, illegal gambling, illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other criminal activities. Rodriguez referred to these individuals as a “plague” and warned against facilitating their entry through a visa system that simplifies access.
Call for Rigorous Vetting of Tourists
Rodriguez urged Secretary Frasco, tourism officials, and stakeholders in the tourism industry to prioritize national security when considering endorsements for the ASEAN unified visa system. While supporting efforts to boost tourism and the economy through increased arrivals, he stressed the importance of a strict screening process for Chinese visitors.
He said, “Given our experience and our raging dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), we don’t want to just accept Chinese tourists, but they should undergo rigorous evaluation by our Embassy and consulates in China.”
Tourism Department’s Support and Future Discussions
Secretary Frasco publicly supported the ASEAN unified visa plan during a forum held in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 15. She expressed optimism that the proposal would be a key topic during the upcoming ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines will host next year.
As the debate continues, local experts emphasize the need to balance tourism growth with safeguarding the country’s security interests, especially amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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