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- Tony Labrusca was under fire for allegedly disrespecting an immigration officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
- It was said that he had problems with his visa as he only has an American passport with him and failed to present that he’s authorized to work in the Philippines.
- The Bureu of Immigrations made a statement about the incident.
Glourious star Tony Labrusca allegedly made a scene at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The controversy rose after he has posted his now-deleted tweet saying, “Just landed in Manila and the Philippine immigration only gave me 30 days here. Lol. K.”
He spend the holidays in the United States with his mom, Angel Jones, and family.
Since he was born and raised in Texas, he has an American passport, and when he came back to Manila after the holidays, there were some issues regarding his work visa.
A couple of immigration officers from NAIA posted about their side of the story. On facebook, they said that the actor did not just lack a Philippine passport, he was also not with his Filipino parents.
He was said to have shouted and cursed at an official. One officer said that Labrusca even tried to use his popularity to change their decision.
A Twitter user reposted screenshots of the immigration officer’s statements.
https://twitter.com/krizzy_kalerqui/status/1080964111427461120
Looking at the screenshots, an officer named Janine Salvador said that the actor was “so proud” to brag that he works in the Philippines when he was supposed to be a tourist.
“He’s so busy building his abs that he forget to build his character,” another officer wrote.
The posts have now been deleted.
Tony Labrusca ‘deeply sorry’ over airport incident
The Kapamilya actor on Friday apologized over an incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where he admitted to “letting my emotions get the better of me” in dealing with an immigration officer. He made the apology on Twitter, addressed to an officer of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) who had informed him of his 30-day allowable stay in the country shortly after arriving here from Canada on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/tonythesharky/status/1081184995639582720
READ: Tony Labrusca’s mom Angel Jones posts cryptic messages about fake news
Netizens reacted.
The netizens were shocked upon finding out about the controversy.
so that’s how he ruined his life in just a single tweet! shame
— Chris D (@KrisDeyb) January 4, 2019
he finally falls… i always knew may tagong baho yan pic.twitter.com/650rOrFnPi
— (Nag) Sasha Boo (@pencilkaise) January 4, 2019
Me after reading the news about Tony Labrusca pic.twitter.com/LVG9qPAJgZ
— Leighyoncé (@louiseleighhh) January 4, 2019
A Netizen even suggested that if he’s really eligible, he can buy and apply for dual citizen documents.
https://twitter.com/bRylle_x/status/1081090033174675457
But not everyone took the officer’s side as a Netizen said that it is unprofessional for the employees to post about the details of the incident.
It is very unprofessional of Immigration to post that. Tony is probably a jerk but still it is not professional to share details about an immigration status of an individual.
— Magic Sherep (@tepokSDG) January 4, 2019
Bureu of Immigration warned about Balikbayan’s privilege[s].
The Bureu of Immigration (BI) warned individuals of Filipino lineage that there are limits to a Balikbayan privilage.
They have released a statement amid Labrusca’s NAIA incident.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said, “The privilege is for former Filipinos, and their immediate family members who are traveling with them only.”
She added that the star could’ve enjoyed a year of visa-free privilage in the country if he was traveling with a Filipino. She also addressed his said attitude with dealing wit hte immigration officers.
“It is against the law to disrespect immigration authorities, and violating aliens may be excluded and blacklisted from the Philippines. Showing disrespect to symbols of authority is essentially showing disrespect to the country.
Labrusca has yet to address the incident.
