Actor with HIV allowed to enter Philippines

The Philippine immigration chief has rescinded an order barring a movie and theater actor who is HIV positive from entering the country.

Filipino-Australian actor Marcelino Cavestany says he was stopped upon arrival at the Manila airport on Sunday because his name appeared on an immigration blacklist.

Immigration Commissioner Ronaldo Ledesma said Thursday that Cavestany's inclusion on the list by his predecessor is a violation of the Philippines' international commitment to allow freedom of travel of persons infected with HIV-AIDS. He says the actor is free to enter and his name has been expunged from the list.

He said he was originally listed because an official claimed the actor intended to spread HIV.

(AP)