More information about the aborted flight of PH Cyber athletes
Yesterday we reported about the plight of Team Rave and how they were taken off the flight they were on when they already boarded the plane by Bureau of Immigration personnel. Today, BI lawyer and spokesperson Elaine Tan has spoken up about the incident to Rappler, saying that it was the E-6 Korean visas of the 3 members that was the cause of their sudden offloading from the plane.
An E-6 Korean visa is a a working visa issued for those who are seeking to make profit through entertainment, sports, and the like, according to her.
The members of Team Rave were taken off the plane (at the last second) because they failed to secure an OEC from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
But Hans Leo J. Cacdac, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Administrator said on his Twitter account that athletes, including cyber gamers, are exempted from securing a POEA clearance.
@indayevarona @bamaquino @Mineski @RaveDota2 I can say that athletes, including cyber gamers, are exempted from securing a POEA clearance.
— hans leo j. cacdac (@HansLeoCacdac) April 6, 2015
Here’s a news report by GMA News as well for additional reference:
Everything considered, it’s still a bit mindboggling why the BI allowed the three cyber athletes to board the plane knowing that they did not have the right OEC in the first place.
Senator Bam Aquino is looking into the matter and have asked the BI and POEA to explain why the athletes were not allowed to board the plane.
Team Rave is one of the most competitive Filipino DoTA teams today, and managed to place sixth in the DoTA 2 Asian Championships this year.
