Immigration bureau unveils ‘Project Riptide’ vs terrorists

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has launched an operation, called “Project Riptide,” to detect and thwart the entry of foreign terrorists into the country during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the project began last week when Interpol teams were deployed to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport and other major ports to monitor arriving foreign passengers.

The operation is part of an Interpol program that is conducted with counterparts in France, Singapore and Japan. —TINA G. SANTOS