THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred from entering the country a Swiss woman who reportedly confessed to being a drug dependent.
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, BI Port Operation Chief Grifton Medina identified the passenger as Chrystel Canitrot, 35, who was denied entry last December 6 when she arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong.
Medina said the Swiss woman was very restless and disturbed when interviewed by immigration officers.
She could not answer basic questions, and later admitted that she is dependent on morphine.
“She asked that she be given morphine because she was in pain and said that she just wanted to get out of the airport,” Medina stated.
He added that the alien was also uncooperative during the interview and was unable to answer questions about her travel itinerary.
Medina said the woman claimed that she does not know anyone in the Philippines and could not name the place where she would stay.
“It was so strange. She would fall asleep in the middle of the interview, which prompted us to refer her to the airport’s medical team for examination.” he added.
Canitrot declared that she is a horticulturist by profession. She allegedly came to the Philippines for a two-month stay, and reportedly “only wants to go to the beach” but could not specify where.
While no conclusive medical issue was found by the airport medical team, Canitrot was sent back to Hong Kong and banned from re-entering the Philippines.
Canitrot reportedly told airline crew, medical staff, and immigration personnel that she is “addicted to morphine,” and did not react when informed that she was being sent back to her port of origin.
Morente commended the immigration officers for denying entry to a suspected drug user.
He warned foreign drug users that they are not welcome in the Philippines, stressing “President Duterte is keen on solving our country’s drug problem. We don’t need you here to give us added burden.” (Jun Ramirez)
