The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is advancing border security by launching the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS).

The move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to enhance the country’s national security through digital transformation.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said APIS is a globally recognized system that allows authorities to conduct advanced screening of passengers before their arrival, enabling enhanced risk assessment and streamlined immigration procedures.

Castro said in a Malacañang press briefing on Friday that Cebu Pacific Airline is the first air passenger carrier to integrate its system with APIS fully.

She added that other major airlines, including Philippine Airlines (PAL), will be mandated to integrate APIS into their systems once the initial integration results are seamless and error-free.

“Kapag po naging smooth na po ang lahat, once everything is smooth, lahat po ng airlines ima-mandatory na po na magsagawa na rin po ng APIS,” Castro said.

Castro said the BI has successfully conducted a connectivity test with the International Criminal Police Organization’s (Interpol) I-24/7 database.

She said the connectivity ensures the BI has direct access to the global security watchlist.

Castro also said this would significantly enhance the monitoring capabilities and coordination with international law enforcement agencies. | PND