By Pita Ligaiula in Koror, Palau
Vanuatu Daily Post journalist Hilaire Bule remains in Manila awaiting confirmation of his onward travel after he was removed from Palau, where he had travelled to cover the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Bule was among ten Pacific journalists selected to cover the annual Forum Leaders meeting and participate in the regional media workshop ahead of the Leaders meeting.
Following his removal, Bule said Philippine Airlines officials were trying to arrange an alternative route through Fiji.
“They told me that they are working on Fiji Airways on 30 September Manila-Hong Kong and then Fiji but they haven’t come back to me yet,” he said.
Bule said the transit desk also warned him that Hong Kong authorities could refuse to accept him, potentially leaving him stranded in Manila.
“But the transit desk also told me that if Hong Kong refuses like Taiwan, then I am stuck in Manila,” he said.
Bule said he had not received a clear explanation for the decision and was concerned about the status of his passport.
“I haven’t seen my passport since they sent me out from Palau.
Meanwhile, a Palau immigration officer told journalists outside the airport that Bule could return to Palau after obtaining immigration pre-clearance.
“For your colleague from Vanuatu, what he needs to do is to go back to Manila, get his pre-clearance and get back to Palau on a Friday flight,” the immigration officer said.
The comments suggest that Bule’s difficulty returning to Palau is linked to new entry requirements for Vanuatu nationals.
Palau ended visa-on-arrival access for citizens of Vanuatu and 11 other designated countries under President Executive Order No. 499.
The new requirements took effect on 30 March 2026, requiring affected travellers to obtain written immigration pre-clearance before travelling to Palau. Airlines are responsible for preventing passengers from boarding without the required clearance.
The designated countries are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu.
Bule said he was unaware that the new requirements could prevent him from entering Palau despite being officially selected to cover the Forum.
The case has raised questions about whether Pacific journalists selected to cover the Forum Leaders Meeting were adequately informed of Palau’s revised entry requirements before travelling.
“I don’t know about this policy change,” Bule said.
Bule’s removal comes days before the opening of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which brings together Pacific leaders and regional stakeholders in Palau.
Bule remains in Manila awaiting confirmation of his onward travel arrangements to Vanuatu.
