RP’s failure to implement digitized passport scheme worries US

The US government is concerned over the failure of the Philippine government to implement the digitized machine-readable passport program that would help prevent the entry of suspected terrorists into the country.

In its 2005 Country Reports on Terrorism released last Friday, the US Department of State noted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had completed a review process of the program.

The report said the DFA has not implemented the long overdue reform and enhanced security features program designed for more secure Philippine passports.

"Despite plans dating back to 2001, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has not yet introduced a digitized machine-readable passport. However, the Philippine Government did complete a review process," the US State Department said.

The report stressed the need to implement the program to strengthen the security and credibility of travel documents.

The implementation of the machine-readable passport/visa project to comply with international standards has been among the DFA’s priority projects for the past years but has not materialized.

DFA is also planning to expand the computerization of consular records to reduce passport application and processing time.

The features for enhanced passport security include the introduction of laser-perforated numbers and shifting to heat-sealed laminating system to prevent tampering with passport holder’s data.

The program also seeks the issuance of passport booklets with bar codes to improve records and prevent double passports, as well as the use of new photo cutting equipment for a uniform, distinctive cut to prevent photo substitution.

In 2005, the DFA directly served over 2.12 million passport applications and authenticated over half a million travel documents. The services generated more than P1.6 billion in revenues.

The State Department cited in the annual report the cooperation of the Philippine government on regional counterterrorism efforts through its membership in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and in the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN).

The Philippines was unanimously elected to preside the APEC’s Counterterrorism Task Force in November 2004 and held the post throughout 2005.

At the fifth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime last November, its member nations, including the Philippines, called for the establishment of an ASEAN task force to counter terrorism.

The State Department stressed the major and disturbing trend in the Philippines has been the growing cooperation among the Islamist terrorist organizations operating in the country.

The report pointed to the regional Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network, the Abu Sayyaf bandit group (ASG) in southern Philippines and the Rajah Sulaiman Movement (RSM).

The same report cited the simultaneous Valentine’s Day bombings last year that rocked Metro Manila, Davao, and General Santos City, undertaken by the three groups that left eight people dead and 150 injured.

The use of more technically sophisticated explosive devices in these bombings is another cause for concern, the State Department said.

It also cited the attack on a ferry in Basilan in August last year which killed four people.

"Philippine authorities had a number of successes against terrorists in 2005. The government’s most recent successes were the arrest in October of several members of the ASG-affiliated Rajah Sulaiman Movement, including RSM leader Ahmad Santos, and the arrest in December of RSM’s alleged second-in-command and operations chief, Pio de Vera," the report said.

The report noted in detail the successes of the country’s security forces in containing and neutralizing the terror threat in the region.

"The Philippines made some progress in tracking, blocking, and seizing terrorist assets," it said.