The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ramped up the nationwide rollout of its Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), a digital security tool designed to flag threats before they even step foot in the Philippines.

Described by Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado as a “critical defense line at the nation’s borders,” the APIS initiative enables immigration officers to screen inbound travelers in real time using pre-submitted airline data — a key move in tightening border controls amid rising global security threats.

Flagging fugitives

Just this week, the system proved its effectiveness when a foreign national — whose identity remains withheld — was barred from entering the country at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, following a blue notice issued by Interpol. The alert identified the individual as being involved in criminal activity overseas.

Immigration officers intercepted the traveler before entry processing, thanks to the alert raised by the APIS platform. Viado said the case underscores the system’s vital role in detecting fugitives and individuals with red flags linked to serious crimes or transnational offenses.

The BI reported that four major airlines — Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Kuwait Airways, and Etihad Airways — are now fully integrated with the system. Two others, Singapore Airlines and China Airlines, are currently undergoing pre-production testing and are expected to be online soon.