MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has confirmed receiving an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) for seven officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that the order, received on November 6, has led to the officials’ names being added to the BI’s centralized monitoring database. The ILBO, issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), directs immigration personnel to monitor the travel activities of specific individuals.
This ILBO followed a request from the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to the DOJ, due to a subpoena ad testificandum issued against the officials after they repeatedly declined to participate in a Congressional inquiry.
Viado clarified that the ILBO does not directly prevent the individuals from leaving the country. Its purpose is strictly to facilitate monitoring. If the officials are encountered at any point of departure, immigration officers are instructed to promptly report to the DOJ and the House Committee on any relevant travel details and to verify if there are new directives against these individuals.
This directive is now accessible to all immigration officers nationwide, covering airports and seaports across the Philippines. #
