From left to right: Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, Ako Bicol Rep. Jil Bongalon (Facebook)

Members of the "Young Guns" bloc want the House of Representatives to investigate and get to the bottom of the alleged "fake birth certificates factory" in a municipality in Davao del Sur. 

Calling for a congressional probe were Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Ako Bicol Rep. Jil Bongalon, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, and Rep. Inno Dy V of Isabela. 

Earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) discovery that close to 200 fake birth certificates were issued to Chinese nationals by the local civil registry of Sta. Cruz town, Davao del Sur. 

Almario said that a birth certificate "symbolizes a Filipino's connection to their country" and therefore cannot be sold. 

"It is the first official document that every Filipino receives as their birthright, establishing their official tie to the nation. This is not something that can be easily given, fabricated, milled or bought. Sa madaling salita (In simpler terms), the Filipinos are not for sale. Dapat walang pekeng Pilipino (There should be no fake Filipinos),” Almario said. 

“We are outraged by these reports," said Khonghun, chairman of the House Committee on Bases Conversion. He expressed concern that the Chinese nationals who were give these fake birth certificates could be criminals or linked to drug syndicates. 

“They probably also found the easiest route to secure spurious documents to conceal their true identities and citizenship to continue their nefarious activities here in the country. Kailangan itong imbestigahan ng Kongreso (Congress must investigate this),” he added. 

Adiong would like to know if these Chinese nationals had a backer who emboldened them to “make a mockery of the sanctity of the country’s birth certificate". 

“This discovery is not only unacceptable but an outright affront to our national security and sovereignty. The issuance of falsified birth certificates to foreign nationals compromises the integrity of our civil registration system, undermines the trust of the Filipino people, and poses a significant threat to national security,” said the chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation. 

Bongalon, a lawyer, called the fraudulent activity “particularly disheartening". He said "It raises serious questions about the safeguards in place within our local civil registries and highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight and accountability measures." 

“The procurement of valid birth certificates must be fortified to prevent any exploitation by foreign infiltrators...Allowing foreign nationals to illegitimately obtain these documents undermines the very fabric of our nation,” he said. 

Ortega, an assistant majority leader, noted that Chinese infiltrators, armed with falsified Philippine birth certificates, pose a dire threat to the Philippines’ national security. 

“These individuals could potentially exploit their newfound status to engage in activities detrimental to our country, including espionage, economic sabotage and other criminal enterprises. The ramifications of such actions are far-reaching and could compromise our national defense, economy and public safety,” Ortega further explained. 

Dy, a deputy majority leader, said that with these reports, the House of Representatives must “act decisively to address this issue.” 

“This is a grave matter that demands immediate and resolute action. We owe it to the Filipino people to protect the sanctity of our civil registration system and safeguard our national security. Let this be a rallying call for vigilance, integrity and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice and sovereignty,” Dy said.