The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh has received reports from Filipinos in Cambodia of instances where the travel to Cambodia of their relatives and/or friends has been deferred by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI), despite their submission to BI of the Embassy-notarized Affidavit of Invitation/Support.

For the guidance of all, especially those Filipinos who wish to invite their friends and relatives to visit them in Cambodia, attached are the Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-bound Passengers in All Airports and Seaports in the Philippines issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

Formulated by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, these Guidelines provide for parameters in the strict enforcement of immigration departure formalities intended for the prevention of trafficking in persons, illegal recruitment and other related offenses, pursuant to its mandate in Republic Act No. 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 and other related laws.