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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI thwarts departure of passenger with 'fake overseas employment certificate'

BI thwarts departure of passenger with 'fake overseas employment certificate'

Published Aug 23, 2025 04:46 pm
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred a Filipino male passenger from leaving the country after it was found that he presented a “fake Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)” reportedly issued to him by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The passenger, who was not identified by the BI, was about to board his flight to Hong Kong last Aug. 15 when immigration officers flagged his documents for verification.
Upon verification, the BI said that the passenger’s OEC was “fake and originally issued to another individual.”
The passenger has been held for further investigation.
In a statement, the BI said the “fake OEC must have been obtained from illegal online sellers as there have been increasing numbers of sellers that target aspiring overseas workers.”
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned Filipinos not to be lured by these fraudulent documents, as they violate not only immigration and labor laws but also expose travelers to risks of exploitation and human trafficking.
Viado also said the BI has been pushing for stronger inter-agency coordination, as this has been crucial in blocking illegal deployments and ensuring better protection for overseas Filipino workers.
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