Why I didn’t have a ticket. I was surfing the net trying to buy a ferry ticket from Busan to Fukuoka but I couldn’t find any. I easily gave up and thought that I could buy the ticket when I get to Busan. Ok. It was my stupid misinterpretation of the law.
However, I believe the assessment of my case by the immigration officers in Busan airport was unfair. I could show them a confirmed forward ticket out of SK but IF I have an intention of staying in SK longer illegally, I CAN easily do it by not using the confirmed ticket. Therefore, the forward ticket is NOT an assurance that I will be leaving SK as scheduled.
On the other hand, I have more valid reasons that can prove that I was only there as a TOURIST.
- I have to be in Japan by July 5, 2011. I could show them another document to prove this.
- I had all the documents to prove that I am a permanent resident of Japan.
- I had a 10 year US Visa and I have stamps in my passport that I have been to many countries before as a tourist.
- I prepared enough cash on hand to prove that I can buy a ferry ticket and I can stay for at least 4 nights in the hostel.
- I had already reserved a hostel to stay in Busan, in fact, I showed the address and telephone number to the immigration officer.
- I have 3 credit cards, Visa, Master Card and American Express. If I could access the internet I’d be able to buy a plane ticket the following day out of South Korea if I had to. I believe there was no need for me to be sent back to the Philippines.
- If I could access the internet I can prove to them right there and then that I have more than enough cash in the bank to support my 5 day stay in Busan.
- The Cebu Pacific agent carefully double checked their handbook before giving me a boarding pass. If the agent didn't give me a boarding pass for the same reason I could have scoured the internet for a ticket out of SK because I had 3 hours before the departure time.
- I have been to Seoul in August 2005 and I have no criminal record.
I understand that it is their prerogative but I was only asking for 4nights 5 days. There was no assessment of my case. “No forward ticket no entry” was all they said to me.
Was I discriminated because of my Philippine Passport?
ADDENDUM: (July 17, 2011)after reading the comments in this thread: http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?61923-Question-about-staying-overnight-at-Narita-Airport I understand why I was denied entry. I didn't realize how cunning people could be just to enter illegally in other countries. BUT still, I wish they could have checked me thoroughly first before giving the decision to send me back.
P.S.
I hopped on the same plane back to Manila. (I caused the late departure of the plane, my apology). It took me a long time to go out of the airport because of the paper works. The Cebu Pacific personnel and immigration officials were all kind so it wasn't that bad. I spent the night in the airport and got on the first bus to a hostel but when I got there, I saw a lot of fire trucks. I thought the hostel was burned down. It was the neighboring block. The fire victims got a free breakfast courtesy of the hostel and I was invited, too. Then, although the usual check-in time was 12noon we were accommodated immediately after breakfast. There was still no electricity when I woke up at 12noon so I went to the mall and watched Transformers but I got bored and slept in the middle of the show. I went to watched the sunset in Manila bay but it was cloudy. The internet connection was restored today.