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DOT welcomes revival of tourist police units

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Friday welcomed the the reactivation of the tourist police units, saying it would hasten the tourism industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Puyat referred to the announcement of Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, that the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Topcop), would be revived in areas where quarantine restrictions have been eased.

“Travel for tourists and nontourists alike will be safer with Topcop strictly enforcing health protocols and guidelines in areas under the modified general community quarantine,” Puyat said in a statement.

—Jerome Aning

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The DOT and PNP pledged to conduct the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program (TOPCOP) nationwide in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed today at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, EDSA, Quezon City.

philippines tourist police

“We’re happy to strengthen our partnership with the PNP to ensure the safety and security of international and domestic visitors in the country’s tourist destinations,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The DOT chief said the TOPCOP training will showcase the “Filipino brand of service” highlighting the Filipinos’ unique and genuine hospitality.

philippines tourist police

“The PNP’s commitment “To serve and protect” through unequalled service to our citizens and foreign travelers alike is laudable. We look up to you inspired to fulfil our mandate of contributing more inclusive impact in the lives of our fellow Filipinos. With your help, we can rest assured that we are not alone in sending a strong message to our visiting tourists that our country will continue and always will be a safe destination,” remarked Puyat.

PNP Chief Police General Oscar Albayalde joined Puyat in the signing of the MOA to be implemented by all DOT and PNP regional offices throughout the country.

philippines tourist police

P/Gen. Albayalde welcomed the DOT’s support and the vision of the program that will enhance police visibility in visitor areas, where PNP personnel will patrol, as well as set up tourist assistance centers and complaints desks.

“Let me mention that your National Police is now on its journey of transformation, a significant part of which is the continuing enhancement and improvement of the skills, knowledge and work, attitudes of our police personnel. Along this line, we want to ensure that our police are highly trained, well-equipped and constantly prepared in performing their duties, especially in responding to crisis situation,” said P/Gen. Albayalde.

philippines tourist police

The TOPCOP program has trained 4,349 since it was launched in 2011 and is closely coordinated by the DOT Office of Industry Manpower Development (DOT-OIMD) and the DOT Regional Offices with the local government units (LGUs).

philippines tourist police

The 2019 Integrated TOPCOP Training includes modules on   a Tourism awareness, Basic Principles of tourist safety, and the Filipino Brand of service.  To ensure better communication   between the TOPCOP and the tourism stakeholders in the locality, a “TOPCOP Workshop Interaction with the Local Tourism Stakeholders” that will be used to develop a local security action plan will cap the three-day training.

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MANILA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- To ensure the safety and security of tourists in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) agreed on Tuesday to train more tourist police personnel that will be deployed in tourist spots across the archipelago.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the DOT and PNP pledged to conduct the so-called Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program (TOPCOP) nationwide.

"We're happy to strengthen our partnership with the PNP to ensure the safety and security of international and domestic visitors in the country's tourist destinations," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

Puyat said the TOPCOP training will showcase what she calls the "Filipino brand of service" highlighting the "Filipinos' unique and genuine hospitality."

"With (the police) help, we can rest assured that we are not alone in sending a strong message to our visiting tourists that our country will continue and always will be a safe destination," Puyat added.

Police General Oscar Albayalde, the PNP Chief, welcomed the DOT's support to the program "that will enhance police visibility in visitor areas, where PNP personnel will patrol, as well as set up tourist assistance centers and complaints desks."

The Philippines is hoping to reach its target of 8.2 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019, a million higher than 2018.

A total of more than 4.1 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines from January to June 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines said last month, an 11.43-percent increase from the same period recorded in 2018.

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NewsLine Philippines

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Building Information Highway for the Community

BARMM sets up tourist cops

February 8, 2022 by NewsLine Philippines

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COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) and the Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PNP PRO BAR) signed on Tuesday, Feb. 1, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program.   The purpose of the MOA is to enhance security for tourists and tourist areas in the region, and to ensure the special and proper handling of tourist-related security and safety issues.   TOPCOP is a national program of the PNP in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), which aims to strengthen both agencies’ relationship in providing safe and secure environment for tourists, and ensuring the availability of tourist police in tourist destinations nationwide including in BARMM.   MTIT Minister Abuamri Taddik explained that the MOU will further intensify already existing collaboration and coordination with law enforcers in securing tourists and bringing peace in the region.   “We need to work hand in hand to create a new impression to our place to entice tourists both local and foreign,” Taddik added.   Meanwhile, PRO-BAR Regional Director Police Brigadier General Eden Ugale said that “the PRO BAR acknowledged the potential of BARMM being home to a diverse and colorful culture that has flourished and preserved for hundreds of years.”   “Through this synergy of initiatives and efforts, we will send a strong message that we are serious about thoroughly creating our region as a safe destination for everyone,” Ugale added.   Also present on Tuesday’s event were MTIT Deputy Minister Atty. Sukarno Abas, MTIT Director General Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo, PRO BAR Deputy Regional Director PCol. Jefrey Fernandez, and TOPCOP Focal PCol. Ganaban C. Ali.-BARM/PIO

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Today’s front page, Sunday, March 10, 2024

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PNP chief to cops: No carrying of long firearms in urban centers, tourism areas

  • Manuel Cayon
  • July 14, 2023
  • 3 minute read

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The martial law era of uniformed personnel—police, military, auxiliaries and paramilitary units—brandishing long firearms in urban center and tourism areas should now be over.

At least, that applies to the Philippine National Police (PNP), whose personnel had long been directed to refrain from conspicuous display of rifles in highly populated cities.

“This is especially applied in the tourism areas, where we do not want people, our visitors, to look at it as highly militaristic,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. told the BusinessMirror during his recent visit at Camp Alagar in Cagayan de Oro City.

The move comes at time as the Department of Tourism relaunched its global campaign to rev up the country’s tourism industry.

Freer atmosphere

Only recently did a British couple mention it again about heavily armed security personnel in a video blog about ten unique things about the Philippines.

The couple said they saw a security man “heavily armed with submachine gun” in Boracay and who appeared to be part of the island’s security. The couple said that while this immediately creates an impression of places of conflict, but they likewise explained this could just be part of the Filipino way of providing security.

The long period of martial law that spanned almost the entire decade of the 1970’s and half of the 1980’s was largely influential in the continuing war zone mentality among the security forces, where police and the Army would be brandishing rifles even in the cities.

However, Acorda said there was already a policy in the PNP to observe the non-carrying of rifles.

“I should know because I was a director for operations,” he added.

Policy review

“I will look into this. I will check on this because we have a policy,” he said.

Acorda said the standing policy was to create “an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, especially in the tourism areas.”

He said this also led to the creation of the tourist police, who do not carry rifles while on duty. Tourist policemen have also their distinctive light blue polo shirt uniform with the words Tourist Police embroidered.

The tourist police are often fielded to secure festival activities and the tourist spots.

“I’ll check on this, because, it maybe that there was a VIP [very important person] and the  local police could be providing the security,” he said.

“What I know is that in the tourism areas, there should be no conspicuous display of long weapons that may be misconstrued as highly militaristic. We will double check on it if maybe there were presence of VIPs,” he said.

In its gov.Ph web site with the slogan Love the Philippines, the Department of Tourism said the Christmas and other holidays in “have delivered further gains for the Philippine tourism industry as it breached its 1.7 million target by year-end with 2.65 million international visitor arrivals as of December 31 last year.”

This translated to P208.96 billion or $3.68 billion in tourism revenue, a whopping 2465.75 percent from the same period compared to the previous year, it added.

Of the total 2.65 million international visitor arrivals last year, 628,445 were returning Filipinos while the bulk of 2.02 million tourists were foreigners from the country’s top tourist markets. These are the United States (505,089), South Korea (428,014), Australia (137,974), Canada (121,413), the United Kingdom (101,034), Japan (99,557), Singapore (53,448), India (51,542), Malaysia (46,805), and China (39,627).

 Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco credited to the Marcos administration the record number of arrivals “in just six months after assuming office” and the tourism receipts as well the jobs generated helped the country’s recovery “amid the setbacks from the unprecedented crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“Moments of great difficulty are also moments of great opportunity. In the past, we have overcome a global pandemic, survived various calamities, and thrived through a host of many other challenges, yet, the Philippine tourism industry has managed to exceed expectations and our tourism partners and frontliners continue to offer the best of Filipino grace and hospitality to the world,” the tourism chief said.

This year, the DOT embarked on a rebranding campaign, changing the slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” to “Love the Philippines,” which was also mentioned in one of the video blog of an Arab travel blogger when he visited the Philippines shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DOT hoped to ignite interest anew in the Philippines as the world continued to open wider their economies and allowing more of its nationals to embark on traveling like they were doing before the pandemic.

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Elected officials, naga city gazette, executive issuances, legislations, transparency and good governance, people participation, awards and distinctions, about naga city.

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City of Naga, Bicol, Philippines : Today is  March 11, 2024

TOPCOP launched in Naga to ensure tourists’ safety, security

  • Posted July 14, 2022
  • City News , Investments Updates
  • Tags: peace and order , TOPCOP , tourists

THE City Government of Naga, the Naga City Police Office (NCPO), and the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Bicol Region launched on Tuesday, July 12, the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program (TOPCOP).

The program, which is being established nationwide by way of partnership between the Philippine National Police and the Department of Tourism, is intended to ensure the safety and security of tourists while enjoying the city’s must-see destinations.

DOT-5 Regional Director Herbie Aguas said the formation of tourism police assures foreign and domestic tourists that it’s safe and more fun visiting the different tourist attractions in this part of the country and other top destinations in Bicol.

“If the tourists feel safe, they will keep on coming back, uulit at babalik and babalik pa sila,” Aguas said as he mentioned the increasing tourist arrivals in the city and the Bicol Region when the country started again to open up the tourism industry in February 2022.

According to surveys conducted by the LGU’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office headed by Alec Francis Santos, the top concern of tourists when choosing a destination is safety and security.

The creation of the tourist police unit is a direct response to that concern. By having a dedicated police unit for Naga’s tourism industry, the city can expect a safer environment for both foreign and local visitors. This is crucial since tourism is one of Naga’s economic pillar and is responsible for generating much needed jobs and livelihood.

Initially, there are 21 police personnel who were tapped by the LGU’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office for the TOPCOP in collaboration with the NCPO led by Col. Nelson Pacalso.

He said that the city government of Naga is on the right track when it decided to adopt the TOPCOP like in Calaguas Island in the municipality of Vinzons in Camarines Norte and in Donsol, Sorsogon that takes pride with its Butanding interaction and festival.

The tourism official was elated upon learning that LGU Naga in partnership with the Philippine National Police is planning to conduct more trainings for PNP personnel who wish to join the TOPCOP.

“The idea [of conducting training for tourist police] will provide us a prepared venue where we can arrange an ideal benchmarking with regards to the adoption of the [TOPCOP] program by other LGUs,” he said. (Jason B. Neola)

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114 additional cops join City PNP to enhance visibility, tourism security

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The Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) has received 114 additional police officers to bolster its presence and enhance tourism security in Puerto Princesa.

Among the newly arrived officers, 20 have been assigned to the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) with the specific responsibility of monitoring and ensuring the safety of the tourism destinations in Puerto Princesa.

Police Colonel Ronie Bacuel, the chief of the Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO), has emphasized his commitment to strengthening police visibility and enhancing security in Puerto Princesa.

To enhance police visibility, additional police personnel will be deployed to schools, malls, other critical installations, and tourist sites.

These additional officers have been sourced from the Police Regional Office (PRO) in MIMAROPA, he said.

“Kasi alam naman natin na ang ating lungsod ng Puerto Princesa ay isang tourism destination sa Palawan. So, we need to enhance also our Tourist Police Unit,” Bacuel pointed out as guest in the Amos Ta Ren sa Puerto Princesa online show on Friday, June 30.

In addition, he said that they are awaiting the construction of three new police stations in Puerto Princesa, which will not only augment police visibility but also contribute to crime prevention efforts.

“Kung maging lima na ang police stations, nakikita namin na yong impact ay, una, liliit yong police jurisdiction. Pagdating sa responding time, kung may mga kabarangay tayo na gustong humingi ng tulong, mas madali nang maka response ang pulis kasi malapit na sa kanila yong police station, lalo na sa far-flung barangays.

Under the leadership of Mayor Lucilo Bayron, the city government currently operates three mini city halls where they have temporary police stations, in addition to the existing Police Station 1 and Police Station 2.

Furthermore, he said the construction of the three additional police stations, namely Police Station 3, 4, and 5, is already underway.

Bacuel emphasized that the large jurisdiction covered by Police Station 1 and Police Station 2 often leads to delayed response times for certain incidents. He provided an example, stating, “Sample ko lang yong Police Station 1. Ang Police Station 1 ay nasa bayan sa Mendoza Park, pero ang jurisdiction niya hanggang Brgy. Langogan. Minsan may incident sa area na yon, matagal bago makarating ang responde.”

He said that with the establishment of new police stations soon, the nearest station will be responsible for prompt responses to incidents.

In order to enhance police presence and effectiveness, an extensive upskilling training initiative has been introduced to expand the range of services offered to the public.

Bacuel also expressed enthusiasm for the support of the Philippine National Police, which has planned to supply bicycles to reinforce the bike patrol unit in Puerto Princesa’s tourism destinations and sites.

As part of this initiative, the new police officers assigned to the TPU are undergoing training in collaboration with the City Tourism Office.

He explained that they specifically requested the help of the CTO for the 20 newly assigned officers in the TPU, as the majority of them are not originally from Puerto Princesa.

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The Visa Bulletin

Visa Statistics

Laws & Regulations

Visa Bulletin For April 2024

Number 88 Volume X Washington, D.C

View as Printer Friendly PDF

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April  for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at  www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo , individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS must use the “Final Action Dates” charts below for determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin. 

1.  Procedures for determining dates. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by March 4th . If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category “unavailable”, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.

2.  The fiscal year 2024 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000.  The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.  Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.  The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3.  INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas:  CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 

4.  Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First : ( F1 ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second : Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents:  114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. ( F2A ) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:  77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. ( F2B ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:  23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third : ( F3 ) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth : ( F4 ) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:  65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

A.   FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

For April, F2A numbers  EXEMPT from per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates  earlier  than 15AUG20. F2A numbers  SUBJECT to per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO , with priority dates beginning 15AUG20 and earlier than 08SEP20. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.

B.  DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

5.  Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: 

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First :  Priority Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second :  Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third :  Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth :  Certain Special Immigrants:  7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth :  Employment Creation:  7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.

A.  FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2024 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150.

B.  DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

B .   DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years.  The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program.  Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2023 will result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850.  Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the Diversity Visa program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated.  These amendments will not impact the number of diversity visas available until FY 2025.  DVs are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.

For April , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2024 program ends as of September 30, 2024. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2024 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2024 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C.   THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN MAY

For May , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

D.   SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY

Pursuant to H.R. 7463, signed on March 1, 2024, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on March 22, 2024.  No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight March 21, 2024.  Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until March 21, 2024, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight March 21, 2024. 

The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for April.  In the event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same final action dates as the listed Employment-Based Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.

E.   VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE COMING MONTHS

FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential movement):

Worldwide dates:

F1: Up to three months F2A (excluding Mexico): Up to six months F2B: Up to ten weeks F3: Several months F4: Up to four weeks 

F1: Up to four months F2A: Up to three months F2B: Several months F3: Up to six months F4: Up to three months

Philippines:

F3: Several months F4: Several months

EMPLOYMENT-based categories: Very little to no forward movement is expected in the coming months since the final action dates for many categories advanced for April 2024.

The above final action date projections for the Family and Employment categories indicate what is likely to happen throughout Quarter Three and Quarter Four of FY24.  Readers should never assume that recent trends in final action date movements are guaranteed for the future, or that retrogressions will not be required at some point to maintain number use within the applicable annual limits.  The determination of the actual monthly final action dates is subject to fluctuations in applicant demand and other variables.  

F.   U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA.  This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs.  Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.

G.   FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

Department of State Publication 9514

CA/VO: March 4, 2024

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4 Chileans stole from homes across L.A. in a case of ‘burglary tourism,’ police say

The multi-story concrete L.A. police headquarters facade, with blue sky and sunshine in the background.

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When a burglary crew cased a wealthy Pacific Palisades enclave off Sunset Boulevard last week, LAPD detectives were watching covertly. They weren’t going to let this crew get far. But the three men and teenage boy had already traveled quite far. They were in the U.S. as tourists from Chile.

Three of the “burglary tourists” were apprehended without incident. But the 17-year-old took off running, tossing his cellphone and even changing his clothing during a foot pursuit that had him dodging midafternoon traffic.

The trend of Chilean crime groups visiting Southern California for thefts and robberies emerged about five years ago. The thieves, authorities say, arrive on easily obtainable tourism visas. Police have dubbed the phenomenon “burglary tourism,” and it has spurred political outrage and questions over visa tourism from the South American nation.

Although it’s not uncommon for burglars to prey on tony pockets of Los Angeles, investigators say Chilean crews are behind hundreds of break-ins in Orange, Ventura and San Diego counties.

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The three men and teenager arrested Feb. 29 are suspected of carrying out a rash of burglaries of homes across East Hollywood earlier in the month.

Inside the suspects’ vehicle, L.A. Police Department investigators said, they found various burglary tools and evidence tying the four to the burglaries on Feb. 17.

On Feb. 29, LAPD Officer Ismael Peinado tracked the suspects across Los Angeles, from the San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles. In the area of Castellammare Drive and Sunset Boulevard, officers pounced.

That’s when investigators discovered the Chilean connection. Patricio Lian, 20; Carlos Antonio Gonzalez-Ravest, 20; Joaquin Elias Munoz, 19; and a 17-year-old juvenile arrived from Chile on tourist visas in the last few years, police said. The teenager’s parents, according to investigators, left him in the U.S. with an unidentified friend.

Lian is being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center after the Los Angeles County district attorney filed a felony burglary and felony parole violation. He was described as unhoused and living in various L.A. hotels after allegedly overstaying his tourist visa from Chile by two years, according to authorities.

Gonzalez-Ravest was arrested on suspicion of burglary, and on outstanding felony warrants burglary and grand theft. Prosecutors declined to file the charge of conspiracy to commit burglary, but he is being held on two felony warrants. Like Lian, he has been living in L.A.-area hotels after overstaying his tourism visa, according to authorities.

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Elias Munoz, also on a tourist visa, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and posted $50,000 bail.

The teenager told investigators he arrived four months ago on a tourist visa. He was booked on conspiracy to commit burglary and turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services pending a filing decision by the district attorney.

But while in the care of family services, the teenager said he was going for a walk and never returned. He was reported missing in Lakewood and his whereabouts remain unknown, according to investigators.

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COMPTON, CA - JANUARY 4, 2024 - Ruben Ramirez, Sr., 83, owner of Ruben's Bakery & Mexican Food Inc, walks past a worker who repairs the front door of the family-run business in Compton on January 4, 2024. The store was left ransacked after a street takeover on Tuesday. The mob ran a car through its doors, then stole cash registers and merchandise. No one was hurt, but the family is left devastated with the aftermath. The family lost around $2,000 in cash and about $70 to $80,000 in damage to the store which has been in business for 48 years. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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philippines tourist police

Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016.

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Police checks on transgender Filipinos after brawl

Police are checking the documentation of Filipino transgender women on Soi Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok after they brawled with Thai trans women on Monday night.

Police said on Tuesday that many trans women had arrived from the Philippines on 30-day tourist visas and had checked in at hotels on Soi Sukhumvit 11.

Police were checking if their visas were still valid and whether they were working illegally.

Thai and Filipino trans women brawled on Soi Sukhumvit 11 on Monday night.

According to police, the incident began with a dispute between three Filipinos and two Thais. After parting, the two groups confronted each other again outside a seafood restaurant on Soi Sukhumvit 5. They quarrelled and left the scene.

The two sides then met again on Soi Sukhumvit 11. There were 15 Filipinos and six Thais. They argued and fought each other. Thais had suffered injuries in the fight and filed a complaint at Lumpini police station.

Thai trans women then gathered back at a hotel on soi 11, many summoned by social media messages, waiting for the Filipinos to return.

When Lumpini police arrived at the hotel to take two of the Filipinos to the police station another brawl broke out as police escorted them from the hotel, and another person was injured.

Police had not so far pressed charges against anyone over the incident. They were still gathering and reviewing the evidence, which would include footage from surveillance cameras and body cameras of police at the scene.

At Lumpini police station, a Thai trans woman said some of the Filipinos had checked out of their hotels and left the country on Tuesday morning.

She said that Filipino trans women had rented rooms in the area only recently, and frequently stood outside in front of the hotels in such a manner that "everyone understands what they are doing".

She said the Filipinos often swore at Thai trans women who walked past their hotels, and police could see that for themselves on surveillance camera recordings.

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COMMENTS

  1. Tourist police units created in major Philippine tourist destinations

    AFP/JAY DIRECTO. MANILA, Philippines—Additional Tourist Police Units (TPUs) have been established nationwide to ensure the safety of both foreign and domestic tourists, Interior and Local ...

  2. PNP activates tourist cops in areas under MGCQ

    PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa. (File photo) MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reactivated the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) in the areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) to ensure that tourists comply with health protocols.. PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Wednesday ordered local police units through Directorate for ...

  3. PNP to strengthen security in PH tourist spots

    MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered its personnel to intensify anti-criminality operations in the country's tourist destinations, following the order of ...

  4. DOT, PNP, PDEA to beef up security in tourist destinations

    TOPCOP was established in 2011 and has trained 5,457 tourist police and put up 365 Tourist Police Assistance Centers (TPAC) in strategic locations across the country. Under the new TOP-AID MOA, the DOT, PDEA and PNP agreed to cooperate and render assistance to ensure further protection, safety, and security of tourists in DOT-identified tourist ...

  5. DOT, PNP to train more tourist cops

    MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to train more tourist-friendly policemen nationwide after the agency forged a partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP ...

  6. DOT welcomes revival of tourist police units

    MANILA, Philippines — Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Friday welcomed the the reactivation of the tourist police units, July 10, 2022. News. Global Nation.

  7. PNP, DOT ink deal for safer tourist destinations

    TOPCOP MOU SIGNING. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde and Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on iinstitutionalizing the Tourist-Oriented Police for community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) in Camp Crame on Monday (Sept. 2, 2019).

  8. More cops deployed to tourist spots

    MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered its police commanders to intensify visibility and anti-crime operations in tourist spots. PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen ...

  9. Philippines to deploy more tourist-friendly police

    The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) plans to deploy more than 200 tourist police officers in Metro Manila before the end of the year. Acting DOT Metro Manila director Ina Zara-Loyola said additional tourism-centric training for police personnel would be undertaken. A recent seminar-workshop conducted by the DOT in cooperation with the ...

  10. Department of Tourism and Philippine National Police to train tourist

    Quezon City, Philippines — To assure tourists that it's safe and It's more fun in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have agreed to train more tourist police personnel. The DOT and PNP pledged to conduct the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program (TOPCOP) nationwide in…

  11. PNP activates tourist police in areas under MGCQ

    PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa on Thursday, June 25, 2020, ordered the reactivation of Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Topcop) and strengthening the Tourist Police Assistance Desks (TPAD) in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). "The PNP's tourist police units must be ...

  12. PNP Tourist Police

    PNP Tourist Police, Quezon City, Philippines. 1,499 likes · 6 were here. National Tourist Oriented Policing for Community Order and Protection

  13. Manila hostage crisis

    The Manila hostage crisis, officially known as the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident (Tagalog: Pagbibihag ng bus sa Maynila), took place when a disgruntled former Philippine National Police officer named Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus in Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines, on August 23, 2010.The bus carried 25 people: 20 tourists, a tour guide from Hong Kong, and four local Filipinos.

  14. Philippines to train more "tourist cops" to ensure safety of tourists

    MANILA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- To ensure the safety and security of tourists in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) agreed on Tuesday to train more tourist police personnel that will be deployed in tourist spots across the archipelago. Under the memorandum of agreement, the DOT and PNP pledged ...

  15. DOT welcomes reactivation of tourist cops

    MANILA - Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat hailed on Friday the reactivation of the tourist police units, saying it would hasten the tourism industry's recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.. Puyat's statement came after Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, announced that the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and ...

  16. BARMM sets up tourist cops

    BARMM sets up tourist cops. February 8, 2022 by NewsLine Philippines. COTABATO CITY - The Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) and the Philippine National Police - Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PNP PRO BAR) signed on Tuesday, Feb. 1, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of ...

  17. PNP chief to cops: No carrying of long firearms in urban centers

    In its gov.Ph web site with the slogan Love the Philippines, the Department of Tourism said the Christmas and other holidays in "have delivered further gains for the Philippine tourism industry ...

  18. TOPCOP launched in Naga to ensure tourists' safety, security

    THE City Government of Naga, the Naga City Police Office (NCPO), and the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Bicol Region launched on Tuesday, July 12, the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program (TOPCOP). The program, which is being established nationwide by way of partnership between the Philippine National Police ...

  19. 114 additional cops join City PNP to enhance visibility, tourism security

    The Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) has received 114 additional police officers to bolster its presence and enhance tourism security in Puerto Princesa. Among the newly arrived officers, 20 have been assigned to the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) with the specific responsibility of monitoring and ensuring the safety of the tourism destinations in Puerto […]

  20. PDF Tourist Police Officers' Compliance with Republic Act 9593

    August 2011, tourist police officers have been deployed and were visible in Tourism areas such as Baguio City, Boracay Island, Metro Manila, and Bohol ( "Tourist police ready for duty," August 2011). Bohol is one of the most favorite places both foreigners and Filipinos love to visit. Panglao is one of the popular tourist destinations ...

  21. Cops told to heighten security in tourist hubs

    (File photo) MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ordered all police units to gear up anti-crime measures to ensure the safety and security of both local and foreign tourists amid the easing of restrictions due to the improving coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation in the country. "While Covid-19 restrictions are now slowly downgrading in most parts of the ...

  22. Visa Bulletin For April 2024

    Number 88 Volume X Washington, D.C. View as Printer Friendly PDF. A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April for: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

  23. Mga junior police sa Talisay nitabang sa seguridad sa tunghaan

    March 11, 2024 | 12:00am. CEBU, Philippines — Padayon na nga nagbantay o nitabang sa paghatag og seguridad sa mga tinun-an ug magtutudlo ang junior police sa Talisay City National High School ...

  24. 4 Chilean 'burglary tourists' steal from homes across L.A., police say

    4 Chileans stole from homes across L.A. in a case of 'burglary tourism,' police say. L.A. police say a Chilean burglary crew was apprehended in Pacific Palisades last week. When a burglary ...

  25. Davao to unveil new tourist police office in March

    January 31, 2022, 8:18 pm. RECOVERY PHASE. Eyeing the influx of tourists when restrictions are lifted, the Davao City Police Office will open a new office for its Tourist Police Unit in March this year. It will be the second TPU building in the city after the one built at Roxas Avenue in front of Marco Polo Davao.

  26. Police checks on transgender Filipinos after brawl

    Story by Bangkok Post. • 56m. Police are checking the documentation of Filipino transgender women on Soi Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok after they brawled with Thai trans women on Monday night. Police ...

  27. TopCop ensures safety of tourists in Eastern Visayas

    The reopening of tourist destinations has encouraged the PNP and the DOT to revive the program, assuring foreign and local tourists of their physical safety and security. DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said in a phone interview, since 2011, about 439 police officers in Eastern Visayas have completed the TopCop training.