A Dutch activist blamed for making a Philippine policeman cry was deported and permanently banned from the country, the immigration bureau said on Thursday.
The bureau said Thomas van Beersum was deported on Wednesday after the authorities had picked him out from a photograph that went viral showing him allegedly haranguing a uniformed police officer at an anti-government protest in Manila last month.
Van Beersum is an “undesirable alien” who violated the terms of his tourist visa by joining a protest, immigration bureau spokeswoman Antonette Mangrobang said.
Dutch national Thomas van Beersum (right) grabs a baton as he participates in clashes between anti-riot policemen and protesters during the state of the nation address of Philippine president Benigno Aquino on July 22. Photo: EPA
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“The activities he engaged in do not fall under those of a regular tourist, which are health, business or pleasure”, she added.
The activist was photographed yelling at a weeping Filipino riot policeman at an anti-government protest during President Benigno Aquino’s annual policy address to parliament on July 22.
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Photographs of the incident, showing policeman Joselito Sevilla crying as he held back van Beersum and other activists, spread around the world on the internet, and provoked heated debates on social media sites.
