Fool-proof BI arrival/departure stamps launched

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday started marking new arrival and departure stamps on passports of all international travelers in its bid to eradicate forgery that spurred human trafficking and evasion of immigration fees.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the new stamps contain security features that any attempt to replicate them can easily be detected by immigration officials stationed in all ports across the country.

Dubbed as the Bureau of Immigration Border Stamps, its usage began midnight Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Immigration officers at the airports of Cebu, Clark, Davao, Iloilo and Kalibo have also started using the new seals on Wednesday, according to David.

The old immigration arrival and departure stamps will no longer be recognized by authorities.—Jocelyn R. Uy