‘Sexy’ PETA activists could face deportation - BI

MANILA, Philippines - The three foreign women who joined a rally against the Manila Zoo last Tuesday are facing the possibility of deportation, the Bureau of Immigration said Thursday. Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the country’s immigration laws do not allow foreigners to join mass actions. “We welcome them here as visitors. They cannot just protest here, especially if it violates the culture of Filipinos," he said. He said the bureau can initiate deportation proceedings against foreigners who join mass actions, adding that the foreigners could also be blacklisted to prevent them from re-entering the country. The three foreign women, clad only in two-piece bikinis, were identified as Canadian Ashley Fruno, Australian Fawn Porter, and Argentinean Maria Salom. They were all members of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA has been calling for the closure of the Manila Zoo, saying the establishment is mistreating its captive animals. A check at Immigration records show that of the three, only Fruno has a record of arrival in the Philippines. It said she arrived last November 25 and was admitted as a tourist for 21 days. Libanan added that since the foreign activists entered the country as tourists, their participation in demonstrations is a violation of the conditions of their admission and stay as temporary visitors. - GMANews.TV