BI seeks penalties for Pinoys exiting PH through ‘backdoor’

BI seeks penalties for Pinoys exiting PH through ‘backdoor’

MANILA, Philippines — Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Monday urged Congress to study the imposition of legal sanctions on Filipinos who leave the country illegally, following reports that 54 of the human trafficking victims recently repatriated from Myanmar may have used a “backdoor” exit. Since the Philippines has no specific law penalizing illegal departures,

BI wants tight watch at PH backdoor

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday called for tighter security measures at the country's southern "backdoor" to stop trafficking syndicates from using it as an exit point for undocumented Filipinos recruited to work in scam hubs abroad. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado made the call after reports that 54 of the 176 recently repatriated from Myanmar left through the southern backdoor, where traffickers use small boats to secretly transpor…

Immigration chief to lawmakers: Penalize Filipinos using backdoor exits

Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said the Philippines lacks a specific law against illegal departures as current cases are prosecuted under related violations.

BI seeks law penalizing Filipinos illegally departing PH

By Ferdinand Patinio Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado. (Photo courtesy of BI) MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will ask lawmakers to study the imposition of penalties against Filipinos who depart the country illegally. “The country has no specific law penalizing illegal departures. Cases may fall under related violations such as falsification of public documents or tampering under the Philippine Passport Act,” Immigration Commissioner …

The Bureau of Immigration has launched the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) to further strengthen border security in the country. APIS is a globally recognized system that allows authorities to conduct advance screening of passengers before they arrive in the Philippines. According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the launch of the system is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to adopt digital transform…

Bureau of Immigration calls for legal sanctions against Filipinos leaving PH illegally

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has expressed his concern over reports that many Filipinos, including victims of human trafficking, have been leaving the country illegally. Viado proposed to lawmakers that they consider imposing legal sanctions against Filipinos who depart the country without proper documentation. “The country has no specific law …