MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is fast-tracking the deployment of body-worn cameras with voice-recording capability for all immigration officers assigned at airports, with full deployment targeted by the end of October 2026.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the project is already in the implementation stage as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency, and monitoring of immigration operations.

“This is not only about documenting our officers’ transactions. The body-worn cameras will strengthen accountability, transparency, and monitoring, and serve as a deterrent against any personnel who may attempt to abuse their position,” Viado said.

The move comes amid the BI’s internal investigation into the attempted departure of a potential victim of human trafficking and illegal recruitment at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Sept. 12.

The case stemmed from an operation conducted under the existing coordination protocols of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Task Force at NAIA, where the BI and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are members.

The BI is conducting its internal investigation separately from the NBI-initiated probe.

Based on its initial findings, the BI terminated the services of one job order employee and relieved two immigration officers from their airport assignments. One of the two officers has since been arrested by the NBI in connection with the case.

The BI said the administrative actions are separate from any determination of criminal liability, which will depend on the findings of the NBI investigation and whether the evidence warrants the filing of charges.

The BI is also examining records showing that the passenger arrived at the terminal nearly 12 hours before her scheduled departure and was cleared by an immigration officer almost nine hours before the scheduled departure.

Investigators are determining who assisted or attended to the passenger from the time she entered the terminal until she reached the immigration area, including whether any personnel may have facilitated her immigration clearance.

The BI is also looking into whether other airport personnel, including those from other airport stakeholders, may have been involved in or had knowledge of the circumstances, as warranted by the evidence.

“We need to establish the complete timeline of the incident and identify everyone who may have had contact with or assisted the passenger inside the terminal. Given the circumstances, our investigation cannot be limited to what happened at the immigration counter alone,” Viado said.

Viado also vowed to recommend the dismissal of any BI personnel proven to have engaged in wrongdoing and pursue criminal charges whenever warranted by the evidence.

“We will not allow the wrongdoing of a few to undermine the hard-earned accomplishments and credibility of the Bureau. I strongly warn all BI personnel: Do not abuse your position and do not engage in illegal activities. We will take firm action against anyone found to have violated the law or abused their authority,” Viado said.

The BI said its administrative investigation and the NBI’s probe remain ongoing, with any administrative or criminal liability to be determined based on evidence, due process, and applicable laws and regulations.