First-time traveler misses flight waiting for immigration interview

First-time overseas traveler Aldrin missed his flight to Singapore on July 1 after getting held up while waiting to be interviewed by immigration officers.

According to Nico Waje's report on "Saksi," Aldrin said he was already at the NAIA Terminal 3 at 6 p.m. or more than three hours before his 9:40 p.m. flight.

Aldrin said he expected being asked to produce certain documents and he said he had them with him for presentation at the immigration counter.

"Sobrang dami po nilang tinanong like kung saan po ako pupunta, sino 'yung pupuntahan ko, kaano-ano ko yung pupuntahan ko. Dami po nilang hininging papeles," Aldrin said.

Aldrin said he was given a first-time travel form and was told to proceed to another interview.

By 9 p.m. or 40 minutes before his flight, he was still waiting to be called.

"Sabi ko doon sa nagko-call out, sabi ko, 'Sir, baka po pwedeng ano unahin niyo 'yung sa akin kasi 9:40 flight ko.' 'Yung sa mga kasamahan ko 11 pa so nag-ask ako sa kanila kung okay lang mauna ako," Aldrin said.

"Pero ang sabi lang sa akin sa nagko-callout ay maupo lang ako at hintayin akong tawagin," he added.

Aldrin said his flight had already left when he was called for his interview.

He was asked the same questions he was asked during the first interview.

Aldrin was approved for travel but had to rebook.

However, the earliest flight he could book was on July 3 and 4, which was already too close to the date on his return ticket which was July 7.

He said he spent P15,000 for his fare.

GMA Integrated News sought comment from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) but it has yet to grant an interview.

The BI has said before that immigration screening should not be a cause for a passenger getting left by his or her flight.

It has also said that the stricter measures were to protect against human trafficking. —NB/KG, GMA Integrated News