NAIA immigration introduces facial recognition cameras

MANILA, Philippines - The Border Monitoring and Security Unit of the Bureau of Immigration at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals has installed A4Tech webcams, or cameras with facial recognition software, in every immigration counter at the arrival and departure areas for quick identification of passengers.

Immigration supervisor Mylene Mauricio yesterday said the 120 webcams installed last week at NAIA’s four terminals will help them determine if passengers have a derogatory record in their list which is also linked to the Interpol, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Mauricio said this is also in connection with the Mobile Interpol Network Database Devices (MIND) first set up last November which can identify individuals with derogatory records in 190 countries.

“With the facial recognition camera synchronized with the MIND linked to the Interpol, it will be easy for us to arrest persons or passengers who are wanted in their countries, or even possible terrorists,” she said.

She added that they are currently testing the accuracy of the camera and its connection to their server and the Interpol. 

Mauricio said more cameras would be installed in the coming days.