I think the Bureau of Immigration was watching too many Yakuza films.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano has given the Bureau of Immigration a pat on the back for adopting and implementing the “No Touch, No Contact” and the “Tattoo is an Art” policies on the treatment of tourists, particularly Japanese.

“Relatedly, under the ‘Tattoo is an Art’ policy, no passenger suspected of having tattoo shall be made to show, display or exhibit the same unless coupled with other indicia of waywardness or derogatory information from validated sources. Thus, a mere tattoo, unless either morally offensive, indecent and vulgar, or politically and racially insidious depiction, shall be treated with artistic value,” Libanan’s letter states.

The two policies stemmed from reports of alleged harassment of Japanese tourists by immigration personnel at the country’s international airports, which prompted Durano to bring up the matter to Libanan, both were former colleagues in Congress.

What’s morally offensive, indecent or vulgar? That need to be clearly defined. For some, a tattoo of Jesus is offensive. What about one of Che Guevara? What about this tattoo?

I think that our politicians and society need to stop thinking with western minds or even keep updated with pop culture. While it’s true that some tattoos have links to the underworld, most are for art, laughs and culture. I wonder if these politicians know about our tattoo history?