Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Friday, Dec. 23, issued a warning against fake immigration papers circulating amid the Christmas season.
The warning follows the interception of a Korean national identified as Ke Shuiyin, 45, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week after she presented an alleged fake emigration clearance certificate (ECC).
An ECC is required from foreign visitors who have stayed in the country for more than six months.
Ke attempted to board a China Southern flight to Guangzhou, China but was intercepted by inspection officers upon suspecting the authenticity of the document she presented.
It was later confirmed that the ECC she submitted was fraudulent, according to BI. Ke was denied boarding and was subsequently arrested for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
Tansingco then warned foreign nationals in the country to refrain from securing the services of "fixers" who promise expeditious processing of documents especially during the holiday rush.
“Processing has been made easy and convenient, and we have 60 offices nationwide that cater to different immigration transactions. There are also numerous BI-accredited agencies and law firms that may assist you in your applications,” said Tansingco.
He advised foreign visitors "not to get the fixers for your documents, as it will only get you in trouble."