The Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified its operational limitations and enforcement coordination protocols in handling arrest warrants and border security concerns during an exclusive DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries interview with BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
The discussion was raised after a question regarding whether the BI would be provided copies of arrest warrants involving high-profile individuals, including Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.
Sandoval explained that enforcement involves legal and jurisdictional technicalities, emphasizing that certain warrants—particularly those involving Filipinos located abroad—are not directly under BI jurisdiction but are instead coordinated through foreign law enforcement agencies.
“So, may technicality po ito because technically po mga Pilipino are not under the jurisdiction of the BI… it is being used as a force para ma-intercept yung mga mayroong local cases here in the Philippines,” Sandoval said, noting that international coordination mechanisms are often utilized to facilitate enforcement.
She added that foreign authorities, such as those in the United States, are responsible for implementing certain legal actions upon proper notification from counterpart agencies.
On border security operations, Sandoval assured that the BI maintains an active monitoring system at all entry and exit points in the country.
“Kapag mayroon naman itong subject na may lookout bulletin or any derogatory record, naka-shoot naman po yan sa ating derogatory database,” she said, referring to the agency’s centralized watchlist system.
She further noted that immigration officers follow established protocols to identify and intercept individuals flagged under derogatory records or lookout bulletins, underscoring continuous coordination between intelligence units and frontline personnel at airports and seaports.
The BI reiterated that its enforcement role remains focused on border control and immigration-related processes, while criminal warrants and arrests involving overseas subjects require inter-agency and international cooperation.
