THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reiterated that foreign parents, spouses and children of Filipino citizens cannot enter the Philippines if they are traveling alone.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said existing guidelines on international travel set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) do not allow the entry of foreign parents, spouses and children of Filipinos if they are travelling without their Filipino relatives.

Foreigners should likewise possess valid visas secured in the country's foreign posts abroad to be able to enter the country.

He added that the Balikbayan privilege, which allows the visa-free entry of foreign spouses and children of Filipinos, remains suspended.

The reminder was issued following reports that a handful of aliens were denied entry at the airports for attempting to come to the country without their Filipino spouse, children, or parent.

Morente said airlines and ships are obligated to ensure that only foreigners eligible to enter the country during the implementation of the travel restrictions are allowed to board their Philippine-bound flights.

It can be recalled that the Philippines reimposed a ban on the entry of foreigners last month amid the resurgence in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

The ban, which started last March 22, is in effect until April 21.

Aside from prohibiting the entry of foreigners, the IATF also ordered a reduction in the number of inbound international travelers to only 1,500 a day.