The Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) conducted a three-day training program aimed at modernizing immigration procedures and strengthening border security, officials said Sunday.

Held from 18 to 20 March, the goTravel Basic User Training focused on utilizing advanced technology to identify and prevent the movement of terrorists and other dangerous criminals.

The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance national security through digital transformation.

According to the BI, the training — part of the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel (CT Travel) Program — utilized Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record data.

The goTravel Targeting Solution, a tool for watchlisting, historical searches and risk-based passenger evaluation, was a key component of the program.

BI officials from various operational units participated in the training, which aimed to improve their ability to efficiently process legitimate travelers while enhancing border control through API data.

Immigration commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado said the training enhances risk assessment and security protocols by improving the agency’s ability to screen travelers before their arrival.

He also credited the United Nations’ goTravel software for enabling the newly implemented Advance Passenger Information System, which expedites pre-arrival passenger screening.