The Alert List Order (ALO) is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines. The BI is the primary repository of all immigration records and the main enforcement agency for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President of the Philippines. The BI is responsible for ensuring that foreigners studying, traveling, and residing in the country comply with Philippine laws. The BI also assists local and international law enforcement agencies in protecting national security and preventing foreigners who may be considered threats to public safety, morals, health, and safety.

Under Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613 (also known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940), BI Operations Order No. SBN-2014-002 systematically implements the BI's negative records to prevent anyone from leaving the Philippines through any international airports. This law specifically targets the enforcement of Hold Departure Orders (HDO), Watch List Orders (WLO), Blacklist Orders (BLO), and Alert List Orders (ALO).

According to BI Operations Order No. SBM-2014-002, individuals on the alert list are not allowed to leave the country. For this reason, the chief immigration officer must prepare an incident report detailing the circumstances under which the individual failed to depart. The duty immigration supervisor should record this report. Moreover, the incident report must be submitted to the Commissioner's Office within twenty-four (24) hours.

How do I know if I am on the Alert List Order (ALO)?

Under BI Operations Order No. 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 must be confiscated and handed over to the legal department.

Furthermore, some case rulings do not allow individuals on the ALO list to leave the Philippines. However, the BI and the DOJ have the authority to decide whether to allow them to leave the country.

Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of the BI has the authority to sign off on approving or disapproving alert list orders, or even modifying or canceling them, based on arrest warrants, recall orders, or dismissal orders issued by the Sandiganbayan, Regional Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.

Are there specific crimes or violations that require the issuance of an Alert List Order (ALO)?

If an individual has an arrest warrant or pending cases, the BI will issue an Alert List Order (ALO). Thus, being issued an ALO does not involve specific crimes or violations.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has established guidelines to protect individual rights and prevent any abuse of power and infringement of human rights, especially the right to travel. These guidelines include that 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 they are on the alert list and to seek legal representation or a lawyer to prevent any undue infringement of their rights.

How can I lift an Alert List Order (ALO) in the Philippines?

Individuals have the right to lift the Alert List Order (ALO) against them. Once the ALO is lifted, they will be allowed to leave the Philippines immediately. A notarized request letter for lifting the ALO and its attachments should be submitted to the main office of the BI, and fees may or may not be paid according to the orders issued by the BI. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of the BI has the authority to approve or disapprove the lifting 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 Operations Order No. 2022-004, also known as 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 provisions of this law, foreigners who are on the BI alert list and plan to extend their temporary visitor (9A) visas are only allowed to extend their stay in the Philippines if they hold a 9A visa at the time of their most recent entry. 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 Commissioner's Office of the BI for consideration of lifting the temporary visitor (9A) visa ban.

What happens if I want to downgrade my visa in the Philippines?

According to BI Operations Order No. 2022-004 or the 2022-001-POGO Alert List Order Implementation Guidelines, if a foreign national seeks to extend their visa due to a visa downgrade order and the previous visa applicant is associated with 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 Commissioner's Office to lift the alert list. Additionally, foreign nationals intending to downgrade work visas sponsored by POGO will be issued an Outbound Travel List (OTL) and placed on the blacklist.

Furthermore, the legal department will only consider downgrading the visa level 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 visa level will be accepted by the BI, provided that the previous visa applicant does not belong to those with a PAGCOR license revoked.

What other enforcement derogatory records exist at exit ports?

In addition to the Alert List Order (ALO), under Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, the following are other enforcement derogatory records at exit ports:

Watch List Order (WLO) is issued by the BI to temporarily monitor individuals undergoing preliminary criminal investigations, facing criminal charges, or involved in activities requiring monitoring. If the case proceeds to court, the regional court will issue a WLO in the form of a Hold Departure Order (HDO).

If there is sufficient evidence to suggest that an individual may attempt to flee before charges are filed, a Hold Departure Order (HDO) will prevent them from leaving the country.

Blacklist Order (BLO) prohibits individuals considered threats to public safety due to criminal activities, rude or disrespectful behavior towards immigration officers, or overstaying in the country from entering. Unlike individuals under HDO, WLO, and ALO, those under BLO are prohibited from leaving the Philippines.

If you find your name on or receive notification of being on the BI's derogatory record list, it is strongly recommended that you seek legal advice. A lawyer will guide you through the entire process of revoking these enforcement records, providing legal representation and protecting your rights.