Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco headed the Philippine delegation at the 27th ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs Meeting (DGICM), which was held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam last August 12 to 16, 2024.
The DGICM is a pivotal annual gathering where leaders from ASEAN member states, Dialogue Partners, and regional observers convene to discuss and advance cooperation in immigration and consular affairs.
This year’s meetings included high-level consultations with Australia as well as Japan, China, and South Korea, covering a broad spectrum of border management and immigration issues.
Preceding the main event, a series of working group meetings took place on August 13. These included the 7th ASEAN Heads of Major Immigration Checkpoints Forum (AMICF), the 3rd Heads of Specialist Unit (HSU) on People Smuggling, and the 19th ASEAN Immigration Intelligence Forum (AIIF).
Discussions focused on recent trends, best practices, and potential collaborations to enhance regional security and efficiency in handling immigration and consular matters.
During the meeting, Key BI officials shared recent trends on illegal migration and human trafficking, including victims being tortured and forced to work as love and crypto scammers by their recruiter, fake pilgrims, mail order brides, illegal surrogacy, and illegal sex trade.
The BI also reported the increase in attempts to enter of sex offenders and sex tourists in the country.
Tansingco underscored the importance of the summit: “Our participation in the annual DGICM highlights our commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and sharing valuable insights on border management and immigration challenges.”
Tansingco added, “This forum is an essential platform for aligning our practices with international standards and fostering collaboration among ASEAN nations. By engaging in these discussions, we aim to refine our strategies and enhance our capabilities to address emerging issues effectively.”
