Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for an investigation into the operational shortcomings at the country’s ports and airports, where certain individuals and fugitives reportedly evade immigration authorities. The Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Tulfo, has been specifically tasked to handle this issue.
In Senate Resolution No. 1171, filed by Tulfo, it is stated that many individuals and fugitives exploit chartered flights and backdoor exits to leave the Philippines. According to the senator, these types of transportation are often used for smuggling, trafficking, and escaping legal charges.
Tulfo noted that the absence of processing centers or general aviation terminals at airports managed by the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration, including those for chartered flights, is a significant concern.
He emphasized that the lack of general aviation terminals poses a threat to national security, as passengers using chartered and private flights do not undergo regular screening procedures, including X-ray inspections.
The Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) identified common backdoor exits in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, and Zambales, collectively known as “ZamBaSulTa,” which are believed to be used by human traffickers.
Tulfo stressed the need to address and identify gaps in the country’s airports and ports to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He directed the Bureau of Immigration, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to pinpoint and immediately address these vulnerabilities in the system.