The early detection capability of the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) has led to the successful interception of two arriving passengers wanted by authorities, thanks to the system donated by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UN OCT).
Last August 6, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in close coordination with the BI, implemented warrants of arrest issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 20 against Miguel Santiago Syjuco and Nicole Lorraine Syjuco. The couple was apprehended upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the APIS, which enables advance screening of passengers before arrival, was instrumental in the arrest as it immediately flagged the subjects as persons with active arrest warrants. The system’s alert allowed BI officers to notify the NBI immediately, resulting in the swift enforcement of the court order.
Sandoval said the APIS project is currently connected to 17 airlines, namely Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Etihad, Kuwait Airways, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, KLM, Thai Airways, EVA Air, Malaysian Airlines, Qantas Airways, Air Canada, Air France, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines, and Japan Airlines. These carriers collectively account for 63.57% of nationwide flight operations, enabling broader passenger data coverage and stronger border protection.
She reaffirmed that APIS will continue to be a vital tool in detecting and preventing the entry or exit of individuals with pending criminal cases, further bolstering the Philippines’ commitment to secure its borders and uphold the rule of law.
