CDO Rep. fears spies entering PH with ASEAN visa

Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez opposes the proposed ASEAN unified visa system due to national security concerns, warning it could allow Chinese spies to enter the Philippines.

Rodriguez urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to direct Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to withdraw the Department of Tourism's endorsement of the plan.

He explained that Chinese 'spies' could avoid direct immigration checks by entering the Philippines through neighboring ASEAN countries that may grant visas more liberally.

Rodriguez stated that unscrupulous foreigners, including Chinese, could exploit the loose border controls, posing a greater risk to national security and interests.

He cited alleged recent espionage activities involving Chinese nationals in the Philippines and the ongoing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea as reasons for caution.

The unified visa system is modeled after Europe's Schengen visa and the Gulf Cooperation Council visa in the Middle East, aiming to consolidate ASEAN as a tourist destination.