The US Embassy in Manila on Monday denied an advisory circulating on social media that Washington has revoked tourist visas for Filipinos due to the novel coronavirus and President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement.
“We’re aware of a fraudulent advisory alleging the suspension of all tourist visas and processing. This claim is false,” said US embassy spokesperson Heather Fabrikant.
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A screenshot of a fake US Embassy Philippines website says the US State Department has ordered its diplomatic mission in Manila to “cancel/revoke all current and existing B1 and B2 visas” of Filipino nationals effective Feb. 15.
The post furthered that the embassy will also refuse tourist visa applications of Filipinos.
“This is due to the security threat of the 2019 NCOV that may enter the United States from foreign individuals.”
“On the other hand, President Rodrigo R. Duterte has initiated the termination of the VFA that will take effect 180 days after receipt of the United States Government of the Letter of Termination. Due to this, the US Department of State shall also suspend all B1/B2 visas indefinitely,” the post said.
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Currently, there are three coronavirus cases in the Philippines. The country was also the first to have recorded the first 2019-nCoV-related death outside Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus.
Last month, President Duterte threatened to scrap the VFA in retaliation for the US government’s move to cancel the visa of his close aide, former police chief and now senator, Roland Dela Rosa, who carried out his government’s violent anti-drug war.
