Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday reported the recent interception and exclusion of an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)-flagged foreign national through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), preventing his entry into the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the BI stated that its APIS Operations Center (APOC) detected an Interpol alert concerning an arriving 49-year-old Omani national, whose identity is being withheld due to ongoing security concerns, on July 10. The passenger was scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Doha, Qatar, the evening of the same day, which allowed authorities more than nine hours to prepare an appropriate response.

Upon receiving the alert, APOC coordinated with the BI Interpol Unit for verification. Following confirmation of the Interpol notice, the BI Anti-Terrorist Group (ATG) was notified to undertake the necessary operational measures. The alert was generated through the UN goTravel APIS deployed by the BI in partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, with the strong support of the government of Australia. This system enables Philippine border authorities to screen passenger information against international watchlists before travelers arrive in the country.

Personnel from the BI ATG, led by Deputy Chief Bienvenido Castillo III, in coordination with on-duty immigration officers at NAIA Terminal 3, intercepted the passenger upon arrival and conducted the necessary investigation. Based on the received information, the foreigner was assessed as likely to travel internationally to participate in terrorist activities. Consequently, the foreign national was excluded and denied entry into the Philippines in accordance with existing immigration laws and national security protocols.