Immigration deploys anti-terrorist units in airports, seaports

The Bureau of Immigration’s counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has designated anti-terrorist units in some airports and seaports as part of the government’s move to prevent the entry of suspected foreign terrorists.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente on Monday said seasoned immigration intelligence agents have been in place since last month at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and some other airports and seaports outside Metro Manila.

He said the agents have been discreetly monitoring and profiling arriving foreigners, as well as assisting immigration officers in screening passengers undergoing primary inspection in the airport counters.

“Foreign passengers who behave suspiciously or appear as likely to become public charge are subjected to secondary inspection,” Morente said.

He added that those who could not satisfactorily answer questions about their purpose in coming here are denied entry and booked on the first available flight to their port of origin.

The Immigration chief said an entry visa is not a guarantee that an alien will be permitted to enter and stay in the country, saying the latter “should be able to convincingly explain his purpose in coming here, his financial capacity, and the places where he intends to stay or visit.”

BI port operations division chief Marc Red Mariñas said he proposed the activation of the anti-terrorist units in reaction to reports that foreign jihadists from countries in Asia and the Middle East were spotted along with members of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups fighting government troops in Marawi City.

Mariñas also cited intelligence reports that some of the foreign jihadists entered the country not only via the backdoor but also through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s premiere port, in the guise of being tourists. JE