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Foreigners from Cambodia, Vietnam subject to stricter screening - BI


The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has implemented stricter screening of foreigners from Cambodia and Vietnam to improve border security.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco ordered immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to immediately refer for “secondary inspection" foreigners who have a "doubtful purpose of travel to the country.”
 
Tansingco issued the order following reports from local law enforcement agencies of an uptick in kidnappings and extortion activities by syndicates hailing from these countries.
 
These kidnappings were the subject of an inquiry by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs last week.

“This is how immigration works. We look at arrival trends and look for patterns. Our partnership with other law enforcement agencies allows us to see whether there is a need to tighten measures on certain types of travelers,” Tansingco said in a statement on Tuesday.
 
At a Senate inquiry on September 15, the Philippine National Police discussed the veracity of some viral videos on kidnappings and other crimes, confirming details including whether the situations had occurred in the Philippines or not.
 
Senator JV Ejercito presented the videos, with the committee asking the police to verify whether they are authentic. — VBL, GMA News

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