The Bureau of Immigration (BI) hogged the limelight anew on social media after a female passenger was allegedly required to present 10 birth certificates by an Immigration officer.
According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, while they have yet to receive the full report and investigation, initial information shows that the unnamed passenger’s travel was deferred for having multiple red flags.
It will be recalled that last March, a passenger missed her international flight after an Immigration officer asked a female passenger if she had a yearbook or a photo to prove she had graduated from college. As a result of the mess, she missed her flight.
In the latest controversy, the traveler, also a female, was not allowed to board her plane due to issues about her travel documents.
She was to travel to Taiwan ostensibly to visit a distant relative.
However, the Immigration officer noted that during the assessment, there was mention of possible work in Taiwan. The woman was also unable to establish her relationship with her sponsor, and had numerous inconsistencies when asked about basic details on her sponsor.
Her personal capacity to sustain herself during the 14-day trip was likewise not established.
Hence, Tansingco said that the traveler was reminded to secure proper working documents.
Tansingco added that following the Department of Justice’s guidelines on departure formalities, departing passengers whose purpose and capacity is not fully established may be sponsored by a relative within the fourth civil degree.
“Travelers need not worry as long as they have the appropriate documents that match their actual purpose of travel,” said Tansingco.
“So many travelers are coming in and out of the country with no issues. Only those with conflicting documentation are subjected to further inspection,” he added.
Tansingco nevertheless said that he will order an investigation on the incident to ensure that officers are able to communicate decisions properly to passengers. Vito Barcelo
