THE Bureau of Immigration yesterday called for the creation of a “centralized intelligence” fusion center among government agencies tasked to secure the country’s borders to prevent the entry of illegal aliens and activities.
BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said this would provide better interoperability among the agencies and further enhance their work to secure the country’s borders.
The BI made the call after seven Chinese citizens were arrested by the Philippine Coast Guard last September 15 aboard a boat at the Navotas Port for violating immigration laws.
The seven — Kang Yinxi, Wei Jiarui, Zhuang Chugen, Guo Yibin, Lin Zongsen, Liu Xinfu, and Chen Min — were apprehended after being found to be undocumented.
BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the seven were “unlawfully operating” within Philippine waters without proper documentation and taking advantage of the country’s porous maritime borders.
Sandoval said there should be a “one-stop shop” among agencies tasked to monitor and secure the borders.
“So that agencies tasked to secure the border will move in just one direction and also on intelligence, there should be centralized information on all the intelligence gathered. This would result in better interoperability to do our mandates,” Sandoval said
Sandoval said the seven Chinese are currently being held at the BI detention facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.
