The Bureau of Immigration (BI) expressed pride in its accomplishments this year with the agency's significant progress in modernization and border control efforts.
In a radio interview, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated that 2025 has been an excellent year for the agency, particularly in terms of modernization, with several key milestones achieved.
Among the most notable developments is the recent procurement and installation of electronic gates at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3.
According to Sandoval, the BI aims to replace at least half or more of the traditional manual immigration counters with electronic gates. The initial rollout prioritizes overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), followed by foreign nationals holding long-term visas, residents, workers in the Philippines, and other registered foreign nationals.
Despite the introduction of e-gates, Sandoval emphasized that BI personnel remain hands-on to ensure smooth processing. She explained that officers are assigned to assist travelers whose documents are flagged or whose e-gates fail to open due to issues such as derogatory records.
Sandoval also highlighted the agency’s increased interceptions and arrests at airport premises, particularly involving fugitives and illegal aliens, following the implementation of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) ban ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
She noted that the agency's border control operations have recorded numerous interceptions of foreign nationals deemed inadmissible to the Philippines due to derogatory records or involvement in unlawful activities.
As of 2025, the BI has arrested a total of 1,908 illegal aliens, including more than 100 fugitives.
The BI has intercepted 178 potential victims of forced online scams in airports alone. These individuals were subsequently referred to the Inter-Agency Council against trafficking for proper assistance and investigation.