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Bali Process Workshop,1-3 April 2009,Manila Philippine
The workshop was attended by 53 delegates, representing 24 Bali Process member countries and international organization.
The workshop was opened, by Deputy Commissioner for the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, General Enrique B Galang Jr. In his opening speech, General Galang stressed the importance of the role of immigration agencies in fighting people smuggling, trafficking and other transnational crime. In an environment of increasing technological advancement, it is vital that immigration agencies, as gatekeepers to their country, exercise sound document examination capabilities. General Galang urged delegates to form networks and build partnerships to further develop and enhance a regional approach to information sharing.
Objectives of the workshop
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An improved understanding of the different levels of document examination capability required within the immigration environment and the different levels of training required to develop and maintain that capability. |
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An appreciation of document examination structure, management and training, to better place organizations in requesting and receiving appropriate international support in the future. |
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An improved awareness of the different ways document examination alerts are used within organizations and strategies that can be employed to facilitate effective creation, use and distribution. |
Co-Chairs
The opening statements by the co-chairs Mr. Sam Vallada, Chief, Anti-Fraud Division of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration and Ms Cath Wilson, A/g Assistant Secretary of the. Identity Branch of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, provided a clear context for the workshop.
Delegates were encouraged to take the opportunity to exchange information and work together towards some achievable outcome to practically assist the whole region in the prevention of people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime.
Presentations and group discussions
The workshop was presented in five parts as follows:-
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Part 1 addressed the development and maintenance of document examinationcapability. |
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Part 2 looked at the strategies employed in an e-learning environment. |
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Part 3 was about document examination alerts and information. |
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Part 4 focused on document examination equipment. |
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Part 5 was visit to the Philippines Passport Office of the Department of Foreign. |
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Affairs and the Forensic Document Examination Laboratory at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. |
On the first day, Australia made a presentation distinguishing, the levels of document examination required within the immigration environment. The presentation also addressed relevant training and the anti-document fraud manager's role in the immigration environment. The Philippines followed with a presentation of the Philippines' experience in developing a document examination laboratory over a five year period. The presentations offered opportunities for discussion by all delegates and provided a good basis for detailed discussion within break out groups.
Delegates formed three groups to further discuss the development and maintenance of document examination capability in an organization. They focused on training and skills development as well as equipment requirements and management of the document examination function. The delegates acknowledged and discussed the different and complementary roles that frontline immigration officers, secondary immigration officers and managers each play within the document examination framework.
The first part of the second day addressed the various ways that training and learning can take place, including a presentation by Singapore on the implementation and management of an e-learning document examination portal.
Delegates in three groups then work shopped ideas pertaining to document examination alerts and information sharing. During lively and interactive discussions, participants drew on their own experiences in identifying fraud and strategies for the examination of documents. Notably the discussions were centered on the development and maintenance of document examination capability and the document examination alerts and information systems.
Later in the week delegates visited the Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs to view the issuing of Philippines' machine readable passports, and the Philippines Bureau of Immigration to view the forensic document examination laboratory at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Delegates also had the opportunity to view the latest document examination equipment which was provided and showcased by two industry specialists from the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Key Findings
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Foundation training in document fraud detection is necessary for staff undertaking the immigration function at the primary line. |
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More advanced training in document examination is necessary for staff undertaking the secondary (supervisory) inspection role. |
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In each case follow-up/refresher training in document fraud detection and document fraud trends is necessary (for example half to one day every sixmonths). |
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Sophisticated and costly document examination equipment is not essential for most document fraud detection and document examination on the primary andsecondary line. |
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(i) In these settings hand-held or simple desk mounted equipment are appropriate and should be provided. |
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Document fraud alerts are very helpful for staff undertaking the document examination role and need to be swiftly accessible to all staff at the primary and secondary line. |
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There is a strong willingness to share information including document examination alerts but there is currently no coordinated document alerts dissemination means. |
Outcomes
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Delegates established informal networks which will be further developed asinformation is shared. |
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Delegates agreed to establish a small group to develop a model for the collection and dissemination of document alerts by participating Ball Process immigration agencies. The group would report back to delegates (using the address list produced by the workshop) on its findings. Membership of the
group is XXX. |
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The group will also investigate whether the Bali Process website could be used as a document examination information site. |
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Australia will explore the possible development of a basic document examination e-learning package to be made available through the Bali Process website. |
Acknowledgments
Participating members agreed the objectives of the workshop were met and look forward to keep newly-formed networks active.
Workshop participants expressed their appreciation for the hospitality of The Philippines and Australia in hosting the workshop, the presenters from Australia, Philippines and Singapore for their excellent presentations and the assistance provide by the workshop secretariat. |
