MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. confirmed Tuesday that visas that would soon be stamped on passports of visiting Chinese nationals will display the entire map of the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The stamp has the map of the entire Philippine EEZ (exclusive economic zone) to its widest extent including Benham Rise along with other territorial claims. So tit for tat,” Locsin said over Twitter on Tuesday.
This after President Rodrigo Duterte approved a new Philippine Visa design presented by Locsin during the 40th Cabinet meeting in Malacañang Monday night.
The country’s top diplomat, likewise, proposed that the Philippine Visa be stamped on passports of Chinese nationals who wish to enter the country, instead of the current practice of placing it on a separate form.
READ: Duterte OKs proposal to stamp PH visas on Chinese visitors’ passports
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo had also earlier said in a press briefing that the stamp would showcase the map of the Philippines, including territories it is claiming in the South China Sea.
READ: Gov’t to stamp Chinese visitors’ passports with Philippine map
During the presidency of Benigno S. Aquino III in 2012, the Philippines introduced the policy of stamping Philippine Visas on the application forms of visiting Chinese nationals instead of marking it on their passports.
This move was in protest of the image imprinted on the e-passports of Chinese travelers showing Beijing’s so-called “nine-dash line” covering almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within Philippine territory.
The foreign affairs chief had earlier suggested the removal of the “visa upon arrival” privilege for foreigners amid concerns on the influx of Chinese nationals in the country.
“We will be able to keep track of Chinese nationals entering via visa from our consulates in China or visas upon arrival (after shorter vetting period)—hitherto stamped on slips of paper no one could keep track of. Now visas stamped on permanent Chinese passports—so we know all,” Locsin said in a separate tweet. /muf
We will be able to keep track of Chinese nationals entering via visa from our consulates in China or visas upon arrival (after shorter vetting period)—hitherto stamped on slips of paper no one could keep track of. Now visas stamped on permanent Chinese passports—so we know all. https://t.co/gj1PK4Izrm
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) August 6, 2019
READ: Locsin wants to drop ‘visas upon arrival’ privilege