Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco ordered the reorganization of the agency’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU).
In an order issued last July 21, Tansingco said that the TCEU has been reclassified from a unit under the Intelligence Division, and elevated to a section under the Office of the Commissioner.
The move will ensure direct supervision of the Commissioner to the section tasked to intercept human trafficking and illegal recruitment victims at the borders. By bringing it under the Office of the Commissioner, there will be increased oversight and direct coordination in addressing trafficking issues, ultimately leading to better protection for departing Filipinos.
The TCEU was likewise renamed as the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES), stressing on its role in protecting departing Filipinos from trafficking.
The I-PROBES will continue to strictly adhere to the Department of Justice guidelines on departure formalities, ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken to safeguard potential victims.
As a result of its dedicated efforts, the Philippines has retained its prestigious Tier 1 ranking in the United States’ Trafficking in Persons report for an impressive 8th consecutive year. This achievement highlights the nation’s commitment to eradicating human trafficking and protecting its citizens from exploitation.
BI-TCEU reorganized, renamed to I-PROBES
In response to the reorganization and renaming of the unit, Commissioner Norman Tansingco remarked, “We remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure that every measure is taken to protect our fellow Filipinos from falling prey to trafficking networks.”
According to Tansingco, the I-PROBES is tasked to continue its policy of departure formalities for departing Filipinos, and are also ordered to report to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) any individual found to be facilitating the departure of trafficked Filipinos.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to be vigilant when applying for jobs abroad.
The warning comes after the interception of two trafficking victims at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 last July 16. The two female victims, aged 42 and 30, were referred for secondary inspection after presenting fraudulently-acquired work documents.
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