Banned foreigners flee at airports! Immigration: Will Sanctions Fine Aviation Division!

According to Philippine media, on June 23, the Philippine Immigration Bureau said that a foreigner who had been banned from entering the country left the airport without authorization during detention, and the authorities are considering imposing legal sanctions and fines on an airline.

"This is a major security breach because the alien has been denied entry but was able to leave the airport undetected," Immigration Director Norman Tansingco said in a statement."

Tancinko said a 31-year-old Congolese passenger was denied entry into the Philippines for fear of becoming a public charge. A public charge is a person who may be dependent or primarily dependent on government support.

The Immigration Department immediately handed over Tshapa Guimick Basaga to the airline on 18 June for the next flight to take him back to Ethiopia.

Authorities found that the passenger did not wait for the next flight in the airport's temporary lounge, but went to a taxi stop, the report said. The airline even reported Basaga missing.

"The airline has a duty under the law to protect him and make sure he gets on board to return," Tancinko said."

Meanwhile, Bassaga was arrested and eventually returned to Ethiopia on 20 June.