MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is reminding international travelers to check in at least three hours before their scheduled flights.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the statement Friday following a viral complaint from a male passenger who claimed he was left by his flight due to a secondary inspection.
“Upon verification with systems, it was confirmed that he checked in only one hour and 27 minutes before his flight boarded,” Tansingco said.
According to the commissioner, the passenger was able to present himself for primary inspection only 12 minutes before his flight’s boarding time.
The agency’s statement emphasized that secondary inspections are a “standard security protocol conducted for passengers who may have exhibited cautionary indicators, as part of the BI’s role under the Department of Justice – Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking or IACAT.”
Tansingco assured that airport officers are trained to carry out inspections efficiently and with respect for passengers’ time, while maintaining strict adherence to security protocols.
The BI also noted that expansions carried out by the Manila International Airport Authority last year increased the number of working stations from 26 counters to 42, with more expansions expected for the immigration area.
The commissioner expressed his gratitude to airport authorities for their expansion efforts as this will allow more immigration officers to assist arriving and departing passengers.
Kirsten Segui, Inquirer.net trainee
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