The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ramped up the rollout of its Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), a digital tool aimed at enhancing national security by identifying potential threats before they reach Philippine shores.
In a statement on Saturday, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado described APIS as a “critical defense line at the nation’s borders,” marking a major step in the country’s digital transformation and security strategy.
APIS enables authorities to pre-screen inbound passengers through submitted flight data, allowing for early threat detection.
Earlier this week, the system flagged a foreign national with an active Interpol blue notice upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. The individual, reportedly linked to criminal activities overseas, was immediately denied entry.
As of May 28, four airlines—Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Kuwait Airways, and Etihad Airways—are fully integrated with APIS. Singapore Airlines and China Airlines are currently in the pre-production phase and are expected to comply soon.
Cebu Pacific was the first to adopt the system, which has already identified 32 Interpol hits: 26 from the Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database and six from the Nominal database, which tracks fugitives and individuals tied to terrorism and serious crimes.
“APIS allows us to flag high-risk individuals before they even step foot in the country,” said Viado. “Each new airline integration strengthens our ability to safeguard our borders and citizens.”
Viado emphasized that the initiative supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a safer, more secure “Bagong Pilipinas,” aligning with national goals for public safety and international cooperation.
The BI is also working closely with key industry partners, including the Airline Operators Council, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., to accelerate full adoption across the aviation sector.
“This is how the Bureau of Immigration supports our Bagong Immigration campaign, contributing to peace and stability under the Bagong Pilipinas framework,” Viado added.