EDITORIAL - Necessary, but also prone to abuse

Starting September 3, Filipinos who want to go work abroad or even just take a vacation overseas may have to present additional documents, according to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

This is to make sure they don’t fall victims to human trafficking.

Aside from the usual valid passport, boarding pass, visa (when required), confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, the Immigration officer may ask self-funded travelers additional documents like proof of accommodation, financial capacity, source of income, and proof of employment.

Travelers whose trips are being sponsored by first-degree relatives might be asked to present an original birth or marriage certificate or report of marriage issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, copies of the sponsor’s passport and valid work visa or residence permit, and Overseas Employment Certificate for Overseas Filipino Worker sponsors.

A notarized original affidavit of support and guarantee and a document establishing the relationship between the passenger and the sponsor may also be required if the travel is being sponsored by a non-relative or a legal or juridical entity.

In short, expect to bring a load of documents with you next time you plan to leave the country for work or leisure.

We understand that the intentions are well and good, but then let’s not forget that some Immigration officers can become too zealous in their jobs and deliberately give Filipinos who have a legitimate reason to travel a hard time getting out.

Let’s not forget that Immigration officer who required a Filipina going abroad to present her yearbook to prove that she actually finished college and even to write an essay about her work. Or that other one who subjected another would-be traveler to needless questioning, causing her to miss her flight.

But of course, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. This is good as long as it doesn’t become prone to abuses.

Only time will tell if this system actually weeds out potential human trafficking victims --in effect saving them from a cruel fate-- or give rise to more incidents of Immigration officers overstepping their boundaries and causing unnecessary misery to those who don’t deserve it.