PH, UN launch system to strengthen border security

The Philippines and the United Nations (UN) on Thursday launched an advanced information system that seeks to strengthen the country’s border security to combat transnational crime and terrorism.

Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said the Philippines’ Advanced Passenger Information System, powered by the UN GoTravel software, will lead to stronger border control, better intelligence sharing, and a more proactive approach to national security.

“With this system in place, we reduce the risk of threats seeping through our immigration controls,” Vasquez said, reading the message of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. 

“We also prevent travel document fraud, strengthen risk assessments, and ensure that our security agencies have the tools to act swiftly and effectively,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said the initiative is the result of the collaboration between the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Anti-Terrorism Council with the support of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and the Government of Australia.

UNOCT Chief of Section Christine Bradley said that the GoTravel is fully integrated with the International Criminal Police Organization’s nominals and stolen lost travel database.

She said that with the launch, the Philippines became the first country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to deploy using GoTravel.

“You're also the very first country here across the ASEAN region to fully operationalize the Go Travel solution. Cebu Pacific and the Philippines Airlines are connected. We have other airlines that will shortly follow,” Bradley said.

For his part, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stressed that enhancing border security is not just about stopping threats before they arrive.

“It is about building a system of trust and cooperation that allows us to work seamlessly with our partners at home and abroad. The world we live in today is deeply interconnected. Threats do not stop at national borders and neither should our efforts to combat them,” he said.

Also present in the event were UN Resident Coordinated Arnaud Peral, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu, and Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado.—AOL, GMA Integrated News