Immigration officers question the Interpol‑flagged passenger at NAIA after suspicions of links to a terrorist group. (Photo by Ariel Fernandez)
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) blocked an Omani national flagged by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) from entering the country at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on July 10.
The BI’s Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) detected the alert nine hours before the passenger’s arrival from Doha, Qatar.
The BI APIS Operations Center coordinated with the BI Interpol Unit to confirm the notice, then alerted the BI Anti-Terrorist Group (ATG) to prepare for interception.
Authorities said the man was assessed as likely to travel abroad for terrorist activities. He was denied entry under Philippine immigration and national security laws.
The APIS system was deployed by the BI in partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), with support from the Government of Australia.
It allows Philippine border authorities to screen passenger data against international watchlists before travelers land.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado praised the swift action, saying APIS has become a vital tool in stopping potential threats before they reach Philippine soil.