IMMIGRATION Commissioner Norman Tansingco yesterday said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will still enforce a strict risk assessment on passengers bound to countries in the Southeast Asian region amid increased risks of human trafficking.
At the same time, Tansingco said human traffickers might take advantage of the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia to circumvent strict departure protocols to sneak out their victims.
“In line with the new human trafficking schemes continuing to emerge within the Southeast Asian region threatening to exploit Filipinos, all are hereby reminded to stay vigilant when departing for Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos,” Tansingco said.
“In this regard, please be informed that strict risk assessment shall continue to be strictly enforced by the Bureau to those travelling in the SEA region,” he said, adding: “We are sending a warning to illegal recruiters not to abuse international events as we remain on the lookout to prevent victims from being trafficked.”
Tansingco said departing Filipino tourists or temporary visitors will be required to present their valid Philippine passports and confirmed round-trip tickets to Manila and their destination countries.
“Further, the return of the said SEA region-bound passengers shall be strictly monitored,” the BI chief said.
On Saturday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested the Philippine Sport Commission (PSC) to provide adequate warnings to athletes, supporters, and attendees of the ongoing SEA Games of the risks of trafficking in Cambodia.
The DOJ likewise asked the PSC to issue official endorsements that will aid immigration officers in establishing spectators’ declared purpose of travel and in identifying potentially trafficked or illegally recruited persons.
The SEA Games is being held in Cambodia from May 5 to 17.
It can be recalled that the BI has sounded the alarm on the increased number of trafficked Filipinos in Cambodia who have been victimized by cryptocurrency and call center syndicates targeting young urban professionals.
Tansingco said legitimate departing passengers need not worry about the strict departure formalities.
BI records showed that from January to February this year, more than 6,000 passengers were offloaded or deferred from boarding their flights due to concerns that they were victims of human traffickers or because their travel documents were not in order and that allowing them to leave might get them in trouble abroad.
Following complaints from the public against alleged abusive behavior of some immigration personnel that caused delays to their departure, or worse, being prevented from boarding their flights, the DOJ said immigration procedures are being revised to address these complaints.
