BI launches face recognition system in 10 PHL airports

The Bureau of Immigration has upped the Philippines' security against foreign visitors.

A report by Jun Veneracion in Unang Balita on Wednesday said that face recognition systems are now installed at the immigration counters at 10 international airports in the country.

The faces detected by the machine located at the immigration counter are cross-checked with the government's and Interpol's database to see if they have existing records.

Filipino information technology experts were the ones who created the program.

One of them said that it is the first of its kind in the country.

"Sa buong bansa ngayon, this is the first time na magkaroon ng system na banggaan ng mukha, hindi lang pangalan. Alam naman natin na minsan, pinepeke lang ang mga documents eh," he said.

The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) is still collecting information on wanted personalities from different intelligence and law enforcement units to complete the database.

Authorities are hoping that the system will be fully operational before the year ends.

BI Comm. Jaime Morente said this will help deter those involved in crimes.

"Of course, 'yung deterrence niya. Matatakot 'yung those involved in criminal activities to come in to the country," he said.

National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said that the new system will help with counterterrorism efforts.

"Isang napakagandang bagay insofar as security is concerned. Kung tama 'yung input mo diyan, Interpol, 'yung ating security services, ay magagamit mo na agad sa counterterrorism 'yan," he said.

The new program will also improve the processing time at the immigration counters.

Authorities have noticed that the processing time decreased from 40 to 60 seconds to 20 to 30 seconds.

Next Friday, the BI will formally introduce the new system. —Jessica Bartolome/KG, GMA News