The Alert List Order (ALO) is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines. As the primary custodian of all immigration records and a major enforcement arm of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President of the Philippines, the BI ensures that foreigners studying, traveling, and residing in the Philippines comply with Philippine laws. It also assists local and international law enforcement agencies in protecting national security and preventing the entry of foreigners who may pose threats to public safety, morals, health, and national security.
Under Article 3 of the Philippine Immigration Act (Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the 1940 Philippine Immigration Act), the BI systematically implements its negative record through Immigration Operational Order SBN-2014-002 to prevent any individual from departing from all international airports in the Philippines. This law specifically pertains to the enforcement of Departure Prohibition Orders (HDO), Watch List Orders (WLO), Blacklist Orders (BLO), and Alert List Orders (ALO).
According to Immigration Operational Order SBM-2014-002, individuals on the alert list are not allowed to leave the Philippines. In such cases, the chief immigration officer must prepare an incident report detailing the circumstances under which the individual was unable to depart successfully. This report should be signed by the duty immigration supervisor and submitted to the office of the Director of the Bureau of Immigration within 24 hours.
How do I know if I am on the Alert List Order (ALO)?
According to Immigration Operational Order SBM-2014-002, the BI issues an Alert List Order (ALO) to any individual who has been issued an arrest warrant by a court. In this case, the individual will be handed over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Additionally, if an individual's name is on the list for reasons other than an arrest warrant, their passport will be confiscated and handed over to the legal department.
Furthermore, in some cases, individuals on the ALO may not be allowed to leave the Philippines. However, whether they are allowed to depart is determined by the BI and the Department of Justice.
The Deputy Commissioner of the BI has the authority to sign off on the approval or rejection of amendments or cancellations of the Alert List Order based on arrest warrants, recall orders, or case dismissal orders issued by the Anti-Graft Court, Regional Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.
Are there specific crimes or illegal activities that lead to being placed on the Alert List Order (ALO)?
If an individual has an arrest warrant or pending cases, the BI will issue an Alert List Order (ALO). Therefore, there are no specific crimes or illegal activities that lead to being placed on the ALO.
Moreover, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has established guidelines to protect individual rights, prevent abuse of power, and infringement of human rights, especially the right to travel. These guidelines include: any travel restrictions must be reasonable, necessary, and proportionate to the government's objectives. Additionally, individuals have the right to be informed of the reasons for being placed on the alert list and can seek legal representation or a lawyer's assistance to prevent undue infringement of their rights.
How can I remove the Alert List Order (ALO) in the Philippines?
Individuals have the right to apply for the removal of the Alert List Order (ALO). Once the ALO is lifted, they will be able to leave the Philippines immediately. The notarized request for removal and related attachments should be submitted to the headquarters of the Bureau of Immigration, and whether a fee is required depends on the orders of the BI. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of the BI has the authority to approve or reject applications for the removal of the Alert List Order.
What happens if I want to extend my tourist visa in the Philippines?
On November 16, 2022, the BI issued Operational Order 2022-004, the "2022-001-POGO Alert List Order Implementation Guidelines." This law outlines the systematic procedures and regulations for enforcing the Alert List Order (ALO) on foreigners.
According to the guidelines of this law, if a foreigner is on the BI's alert list when planning to extend their temporary visitor (9A) visa, they may only be allowed to extend their stay in the Philippines if their most recent entry was on a 9A visa. In this case, the Tourist Visa Section (TVS) and the designated Alien Control Officer (ACO) must submit a report to the legal department and the office of the Director of the Bureau of Immigration for consideration of lifting the ALO.
What happens if I want to downgrade my visa in the Philippines?
According to Operational Order 2022-004 issued by the BI (the "2022-001-POGO Alert List Order Implementation Guidelines"), if a foreigner applies for a visa extension due to a visa downgrade request and the previous visa sponsor is related to a revoked POGO license, the designated Alien Control Officer (ACO) and the Immigration Regulation Division (IRD) should allow the visa downgrade and submit a report to the legal department and the Director's office to lift the alert list. Additionally, work visa holders sponsored by POGO who apply for a downgrade will be issued a Departure Order (OTL) and placed on the blacklist.
Furthermore, the legal department will only consider a visa downgrade application if the applicant has not previously applied for a Special Work Permit (SWP) or Provisional Work Permit (PWP) sponsored by a POGO with a revoked license. Foreign nationals who have recently downgraded their work visas will be accepted by the BI, provided that the previous visa sponsor is not on the list of canceled PAGCOR licenses.
