Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente reminded its personnel to properly wear their uniform.
Morente issued the reminder after a complaint made rounds on social media regarding employees of a local company that were subjected to secondary inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to departing for Phuket, Thailand.
According to the complaint, immigration officers, whose names could not be identified because they have no nameplates on their uniform required them to show additional and unnecessary travel papers.
BI travel control and enforcement unit chief Ma. Timotea Barizo clarified that the strict departure formalities are part of the BI’s drive against human trafficking and illegal recruitment in compliance with the directive of the Department of Justice.
She said the guideline orders immigration officers to assess the purpose of travel of departing Filipinos to ensure that they are protected from human traffickers and illegal recruiters.
Barizo said that last year, the Bureau was able to rescue a total of 688 possible human trafficking victims, and intercept 13,680 passengers for having improper documentation.
Morente said the proper wearing of uniform is part of their BI CARES project that reinforces the bureau's commitment to better public service.
The BI CARES project stands for courtesy, accountability, responsibility, efficiency and service.