That Thing You Do (the NAIA immigration incident)

Prologue:

Last June, when I went to Slovenia. I encountered a slight problem with the immigration because my Slovenian visa is to be picked up at London. I showed to him my LOI and all the proof that my visa was approved and I just have to get it from Slovenia Embassy in London. I also got a London visa. This was not acceptable to the officer and almost didn't allow me to get through. Almost missed my flight but he allowed me eventually by promising that I will submit his son's resume to our HR.

-------------------

Last saturday was worse of all the worse experience with the NAIA immigration officers:

Since our Bahrain visa is to be collected in Bahrain itself, I brought the photocopy of the original visa. The lady officer could not allow me and asked me to wait on the supervisor's cubicle for further questioning. After a few minutes, the supervisor told me that they need the original visa and asked me to wait outside the cubicle and sit on the bench (I began to worry, I am very close to missing my flight). While waiting, I made a call to our Admin for advice. The supervisor saw me talking on the phone and somehow got mad. With a loud voice he said that a call wouldn't help and I should just wait on the bench. Then after a few minutes he asked me to go back to the lady officer. I went back in line. She was asking for my original visa, saying that they are not accepting photocopied visas. She asked me what I will be doing to Bahrain, what's my occupation. I said I'm an IT Consultant. She said I have to produce the original visa and the supervisor asked me to sit on the bench again. It was quite impossible to produce it that moment and I'm losing time. I went to the supervisor and he asked me to go back to the lady officer. She asked him why she should decide. She then asked for my Letter of Invitation. I don't have it. I told her that I have a colleague who went the other day with the same paper I was holding (a photocopied visa). The supervisor heard this and said "Dito ka na nga pumila!." This time he wants me to go to another officer(guy). Before this guy officer could interrogate me, the supervisor changed his mind, went to me and said non-discreetly "Bakit ka pa nagbanggit ng kung sino-sino dito? Ang dapat dito, makiusap ka! Ipakiusap mo ang sarili mo. Hindi yung nagyayabang ka pa." Shocked by what he said, all I could say was "Po? (Pardon?)" Then he asked me to leave the lane and follow him. We didn't reach the booth anymore. He was shouting at me "Alam mo pinapainit mo ulo ko. Ako na nga lang ang makakatulong sayo, kung sino sino pa tinatawagan at binabanggit mo. E wala namang makakatulong sa'yo kundi ako. Sana nakiusap ka na lang, pinayagan pa sana kita. Ngayon, umuwi ka na. Di na kita tutulungan." To which the lady officer replied "Ang yabang ano? Sabi sayo eh. Kung sino-sino pa binabanggit." I was so humiliated. I told them "Sir hindi naman po sa ganon, tumatawag po ako sa office namin para i-double check 'tong visa ko." He shouted "May Memo kami na hindi kami tatanggap ng photocopy, ayan ibigay mo yan kung sino man yang boss mo!" Then the guy officer had it photocopied. To my surprise, he was angry at me too. He gave me the photocopied memo and told me "Umalis ka na. Dalhin mo yan sa boss mo". (I was thinking, "bat naman galit din ito?" Tatlo na silang sumisigaw.) I still tried "Sir, hindi naman po ganon ang ibig ko sabihin kanina..." Then he said "Umalis ka na dito." The lady officer said "Pumunta ka sa Emirates. Tignan mo kung papayagan ka. Kung sino-sino pa mga binabanggit mo...kala mo kung sino ka." I surrender. I could not reason with these people. Anything I say is used against me. Besides, there were securities approaching already (like I am the one causing the commotion when I can hardly state my side.) I walked away too embarrased.

When I was at the check-in counter of Emirates the lady officer went there and asked for my name. She then spoke to Emirates personnel. I don't know what's happening. A guy approached me, got my ticket then asked for my baggage to be unloaded. I asked the guy why he was unloading my baggage. I asked him that I will try once more with the immigration officers and he should put my baggage back on the plane. Luckily, when I went back at the immigration, the 3 people were already gone. I wore a jacket and tied my hair hoping nobody will notice me. The officer cannot decide about my photocopy visa so asked me to go to the supervisor again. This time, a new supervisor on shift allowed me to pass, but some officers commented "Ikaw yung kanina ano??", smirking.

Now after that long story, I kept wondering what triggered their reaction. Was it the call I made while I was at the bench? Was it the mentioning that a colleague was able to pass thru the other day? I had all my requirements legal but I received that treatment. It would be easier to understand their behavior had I been fighting back or insisting myself to get through. It would've been ok to just not allow me to take the flight, I understand their requirement. But I didn't prepare myself on the humiliation I received.

Can't believe that it happened to me, on my own country. I feel harrassed. Please don't tell me to get used to it. I share this with you so you can prepare yourself, or al least share your comments...