Inside job in fake papers of foreigners suspected
THE possibility of the involvement of rogue employees in some government agencies in the issue of fraudulent documents obtained by aliens has been raised by a senator.
Senator Mark Villar emphasized the possible involvement of various government agencies in the issuance of fraudulent documents to foreign nationals.
This follows an entrapment operation by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) targeting a travel agency accused of providing counterfeit documents, including marriage and birth certificates, as well as passports bearing Filipino names.
Villar emphasized that such illegal activities likely indicate collusion within government institutions. He noted that the discovery could be the “missing link” in the ongoing investigation into the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
He stated that these illicit agencies must have connections within various government agencies to facilitate the issuance of these fake documents. This realization suggests that the surface of the POGO issue has barely been scratched, and there is a need to explore the possibility of an inside job. This could explain the continued entry of foreign nationals into the Philippines using fake documents.
During a public hearing on Thursday concerning President Ferdinand Marcos’ directive to ban POGOs, Villar also inquired about the status of deportations of foreign POGO workers.
He sought information on the total number of foreign POGO workers deported and the Bureau of Immigration’s plans regarding those remaining in the country.
The PAOCC’s recent operation led to the arrest of two individuals posing as PAOCC employees.
These suspects were allegedly involved in extortion and the provision of fraudulent official documents, such as tax identification number (TIN) cards, birth and marriage certificates, driver’s licenses, Philippine passports, immigration documents, and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval revealed that the travel agency in question had been blacklisted since April 30, 2024, due to its involvement in illegal transactions.
Sandoval warned the public to be cautious of agencies not accredited by the BI, as they are essentially fixers charging large sums while making false promises.
The Senate committee is intensifying its investigation into the potential complicity of government officials in these illegal activities, aiming to hold accountable those responsible for compromising the country’s security and integrity.
