THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) inaugurated the forensic document laboratory at the Clark International Airport that can determine the authenticity of documents presented by outgoing passengers to immigration officers.
“This laboratory marks a milestone in our efforts to secure our borders. With these cutting-edge tools, we are ensuring that no fraudulent document goes undetected,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said over the weekend.
The facility is part of the BI’s Anti-Fraud Section (AFS), which detects fraudulent documents.
Viado traced the roots of the AFS to a 2004 partnership with the Australian government aimed at addressing illegal migration, human trafficking and terrorism.
The section has grown from a single office to multiple facilities across the country, including ports in Davao, Cebu and now Clark.
“Our expansion demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to protecting the integrity of our immigration processes,” Viado added.
The section is equipped with a Video Spectral Comparator, the IOM Verifier and forensic document microscopes.
Viado said technologies enable microscopic-level analysis, allowing for the identification of subtle security features and irregularities that could indicate fraud.
He also outlined plans to further enhance the bureau’s capabilities, emphasizing the importance of passing the proposed BI modernization law.
He said this would enable the acquisition of more advanced technologies for deployment across all major ports in the country, ensuring a unified and secure immigration system.
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