FAKE VISAS FROM CHINESE MAFIA
SENATOR Nancy Binay yesterday renewed her call on the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) to strictly screen and vet visa applications as immigration officials reported an alleged “Chinese mafia” using passports with special resident retiree visas (SRRV).
The Bureau of Immigration last week announced that it has arrested four Chinese nationals suspected to be behind the proliferation of fraudulently-acquired government-issued IDs and documents including genuine Philippine passports with questionable SRRVs.
“Nakakabahala talaga since these foreign nationals enter and exit the country using valid documents that we know were obtained through illicit ways. We expect NICA to help assess the scale of fraud perpetrated by these syndicates, and check the addresses and contact numbers provided in their ‘valid’ documents,” Binay noted.
According to the senator, the issuance and renewal of special resident retiree visas have long been exploited, adding that Chinese syndicates have likely connived, maintained ties and established networks within the government bureaucracy.
“Visa fraud and fake identities adversely impact national security. What’s largely alarming is the PRA policy of allowing Chinese SRRV applicants who are 35 years old, which can be categorized as ‘soldier’s age’. Dapat merong security measures at dapat higpitan ang vetting process ng mga applications regardless of nationality,” Binay added.
Last year, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested a high-ranking PRA official for issuing unwarranted SRRV cards to foreigners.
The Bureau of Immigration discovered several cases of foreign nationals pretending to be Filipinos by using different Philippine documents, and genuine immigration stamps.
“Nakailang beses na po nating binabanggit ang tungkol sa mga POGO workers who reportedly happen to be SRRV holders. Pero ang mas nakakaalarma ay itong naarestong apat na Chinese nationals na naka-retirees visa sa Pilipinas,” Binay pointed out.
PRA records show that there are about 78,000 foreign retirees in the Philippines, and about 30,000 Chinese “retirees” have been allowed to permanently reside in the country.
“The growing number of interceptions of Chinese nationals presenting authentic government-issued Philippine documents identifying them as Filipino traders or retirees has now become a national security concern. Ano ba ang monitoring mechanism ng PRA to check if these ‘retirees’ together with those who pose as ‘investor-class immigrants’ are really legit,” Binay said.
The senator added that a whole-of-government response is necessary to identify syndicates issuing fraudulently acquired government IDs including visas and passports, and tougher action against foreign nationals conducting illegal activities in the Philippines.
