Two women who were suspected to be Chinese nationals but who presented documents showing Filipino citizenship were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last July 10.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the two women, identified only as “Dianne” and “Myla,” attempted to depart on board a Cathay Pacific flight to Beijing when they were stopped by the officers.
Their identities were questioned after BI agents noticed that the two women were unable to speak the Filipino language or any Philippine dialect.
The BI said that “Dianne,” 61 years old, presented a valid Philippine passport and a birth certificate. However, immigration officers noted that her birth was registered only in 2002 when she was already 39 years old.
“Dianne” also gave highly inconsistent statements about her identity, and declared that she could not remember the name of the school she attended in the Philippines, it said.
In the case of “Myla,” the BI said she attempted to pass through a separate immigration counter, but was also referred for further assessment after inconsistencies were spotted by the officers.
It said that "Myla" presented a Philippine passport, a Philippine driver’s license, and a UMID identification card. It also said that she claimed that she was homeschooled by her grandmother, and cannot remember details about her childhood and her family.
However, the BI said further probe prompted her to admit that she was only able to acquire said documents through a contact she met online.
Tansingco said that they suspect the two women are Chinese nationals. “This seems like another case of fraud, wherein foreign nationals are able to secure Philippine documents through illegal means,” he said.
The two women were arrested and are now detained at the BI’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending the filing of deportation charges.