Immigration chief seeks halt to confusion on hold departure orders

MANILA, Philippines—Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. reminded courts throughout the country to provide complete details about individuals who are subjects of hold departure orders (HDOs).

David said immigration officers are having difficulty implementing HDOs especially when there are namesakes with HDOs leaving the country.

“There must be detailed information on individual subject of an HDO to prevent unnecessary offloading of passengers,” David said.

Lawyer Arvin Santos, BI acting legal chief, said that despite the issuance of the SC circular, many courts still do not provide complete details about persons named in HDOs to the detriment of the travelling public.

Santos said many travellers were unduly inconvenienced and prevented from leaving at the airports because they have the same names as persons banned from leaving the country

The Immigration chief said the information should contain the complete name, date and place of birth, and place of last residence of the person against whom the HDO has been issued.

It should also state the complete title and docket number of the case in which the HDO was issued as well as the specific nature of the case and date of the order. The photo of the person who is subject of the HDO, should likewise be included, as required under Supreme Court circular issued on Feb. 20, 2003.