The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned
foreigners that the policy requiring an emigration clearance certificate
(ECC) before they leave the country will be strictly enforced this
year.
Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said Tuesday the ECC is
being issued to departing foreigner nationals to prove that they have no
derogatory records in the country or any accountability with other
government agencies.
There are two types of ECC that can be secured at any BI
satellite office in the country and airports: The ECC-A is being issued
to foreigners who have tourist visas extending for more than six months.
The ECC-B, on the other hand, is given to holders of immigrant and
non-immigrant visas with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards.
Immigration officials said the ECC has been a requirement for
departing foreigners since the leadership of Immigration Commissioner
Ricardo David but it was only now that it would be strictly implemented
and monitored.
Mison likewise warned foreigners not to procure fake ECC forms
that are being offered by fixers, dubious law offices and shady travel
agencies. He said an alien found in possession of spurious documents
will be charged with violation of immigrations laws.
The new directive came amid warnings about foreign nationals who are involved in illicit drug trafficking and cybercrimes.
