PH enhances border security vs. terrorism, transnational crimes

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

BORDER MANAGEMENT. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (right) and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu grace the formal launch of the United Nations-owned goTravel software solution, at the Department of Justice building in Manila on Thursday (March 20, 2025). The software solution enhances national border management capabilities targeted at preventing the travel of known and suspected terrorists and individuals affiliated with organized crime groups. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)

MANILA – The Philippine government on Thursday formally launched the United Nations-owned goTravel software solution to enhance national border management capabilities targeted at preventing the travel of known and suspected terrorists and individuals affiliated with organized crime groups.

The goTravel software solution supports law enforcement with the end-to-end processing of passenger data, which will enhance national border management capabilities, providing a key tool to enable authorities to detect and prevent the travel of known and suspected terrorists and other serious criminals, while safeguarding privacy and data protection.

In his speech before representatives of the international community, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the project typifies the commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to secure the country’s borders from transnational rogues.

With the launch of the software, the Philippines is the seventh UN member state and the first country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Community to deploy and go live using goTravel.

“(W)e reaffirm the Philippine government’s commitment to strengthening border security, combating transnational crime and upholding our international obligations through the formalization of the memorandum of agreement between the Philippines and United Nations,” Bersamin said.

“Ensuring the security of our borders is not just about stopping threats before they arrive – it is about building a system of trust and cooperation that allows us to work continuously with our partners at home and abroad. The world we live in today is deeply interconnected. Threats do not stop national borders and neither should our efforts to combat them.”

The Philippine government said goTravel is in full production, enabling immigration authorities to obtain passenger data from air carriers, conduct targeted screening and analysis, and transmit findings to the relevant competent authorities for follow-up action.

This represents a significant milestone for national, regional, and global efforts in implementing UN Security Council resolutions, in aligning with international standards and recommended practices, and human rights principles.

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu said the official launch of the country’s Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) enables the live activation of air passenger data through goTravel.

“Australia is honored to be a key partner in supporting this transformative initiative, through Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, working hand in hand with our Philippine counterparts and the UNOCT (United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism) to enhance security, improve information-sharing, and build more robust, well-protected borders.”

Since June 2021, the Philippines has partnered with the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Program to establish a national APIS and strengthen capabilities with financial support from the Australian government.