By Brian Campued
To further strengthen the country’s border security, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) inaugurated a new forensic document laboratory at the Clark International Airport last Nov. 27, which is expected to enhance the capabilities of the BI’s Anti-Fraud Section (AFS) in detecting counterfeit documents.
“This laboratory marks a milestone in our efforts to secure our borders. With these cutting-edge tools, we are ensuring that no fraudulent document goes undetected,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced tools such as a video spectral comparator, an IOM verifier, and forensic document microscopes.
Additionally, the laboratory enables microscopic-level analysis, allowing for the identification of subtle security features and irregularities that could indicate fraud.
Viado, likewise, noted that the AFS has grown from a single office aimed at addressing illegal migration, human trafficking, and terrorism in 2004 through a partnership with the Australian Government to having multiple facilities across the country.
“Our expansion demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to protecting the integrity of our immigration processes,” he said.
Meanwhile, BI chief renewed his call for the passage of the proposed BI Modernization Law, which would enable the acquisition of more advanced technologies and ensure a more efficient immigration system.
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