A 23-year-old woman was prevented from leaving by immigration personnel during the bustling influx of travelers for the ‘Undas’ observance after presenting a fake document.
The female victim, whose name has been withheld in compliance with anti-trafficking laws, attempted to depart for Japan on November 2 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
She claimed to be traveling abroad to visit her alleged spouse, a Japanese national residing in Nagoya. As part of the basic requirements needed for departing immigrants, she presented a Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP) Certificate, but officers soon identified the document as counterfeit.
“Our officers saw inconsistencies in her document, prompting them to submit it for verification with the CFO,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.
The BI-CFO joint system facilitated real-time verification, and confirmed that the certificate number presented did not exist.
During a follow-up interview, the victim admitted that she had purchased the document through a fixer online for her upcoming international travel.
Viado warned travelers from accepting offers of fixers on social media.
The victim has been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for the filing of appropriate charges against the source of the fake document.
