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Thursday, June 29, 2006
4 PB members hit 'unfair' US embassy treatment
By Jane Cadalig
BAGUIO CITY -- Four members of the Provincial Board (PB) of Benguet on Wednesday cried foul over the denial of their visa applications for a trip to the US.
Board Members Liso Agpas, Fernando Aritao, William Esteban, and Marciano Inso bewailed the "humiliating" experience they had with an employee at the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit of the US Embassy, claiming the office's actions were not fair.
The province's legislators, together with Board Member Juan Nazarro Jr., were supposed to go on a trip to the US on an invitation to perform traditional practices in Virginia.
Except for Nazarro, the four's visa applications were denied but the reason was not explained to them.
During the PB's regular session, Agpas said it is just unfair for them to be treated as such. "We believe this is unfair. We were denied (the visa) with no apparent reason (at all). We are not members of any terrorist organization. We are respected officials of this province. Our intention was to go there to promote our culture, tourism, and investment for the province," he said.
"It seems that US Embassy is not serious in relating well with the Filipino people. It is deplorable for an embassy to do that, when we were there in our official capacity," he added.
Aritao, Esteban, and Inso also expressed frustrations on how they were treated. They said it was unjust for them, as representatives of the PB of Benguet, to go through such an unpleasant experience.
Aritao deplored the manner by which his interviewer related to him. He said he was asked only two questions - one was his purpose of going to the US and the other was a follow-up on whether or not he could perform native dances and songs.
"After denying my visa, he crumpled a document in front of me, although I am not certain what it was," he said.
Esteban said the document was Aritao's visa application form.
Asked if they are still interested to go on a US trip despite their experiences, Aritao said yes "but I do not want that guy to interview me again."
Inso, meanwhile, said they would author a resolution expressing their indignation on how they were treated.
The four were reportedly issued an unassigned document stating the denial of their visa applications. The document reads: "We regret to inform you that we are unable to issue you a nonimmigrant visa under Section 214 (b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as amended, since you have not established at the time of application that you are entitled to nonimmigrant status under section 101 (a) (15) of the INA."
Inso, Aritao, and Esteban were interviewed by the same agent assigned at the embassy's Window 9. Agpas was interviewed by an employee at the agency's Window 6.
Nazarro, whose application was approved, shared the sentiments of his colleagues. "I am happy (that my visa was approved) but at the same time I feel sad for my companions."
He said he is not sure if he could still attend the event considering that visa and passport processing would take about five to seven days. The supposed Virginia activity is scheduled June 30 to July 2.
The board members were was supposed to attend and share cultural practices on the second fellowship reunion of the Benguet 13 East Coast Association, an organization of Benguet immigrants in Virginia. (Sun.Star Baguio/Sunnex)
(June 29, 2006 issue)
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