BI sees fake PH docs as natsec concern

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) considers the increasing number of foreigners using falsified Philippine documents a significant national security concern.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized the need for a proactive approach to prevent the misuse of these documents by foreign nationals.

The BI has requested cooperation from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to identify individuals who availed themselves of late birth certificate registration, which will be cross-checked against passport usage.

Additionally, the BI asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for details on birth certificates issued to Chinese nationals, following the NBI's discovery of nearly 200 fake certificates from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

In the past week, the BI has intercepted four cases of foreigners with fraudulently acquired Philippine citizenship.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian reported that obtaining fake birth certificates and other government IDs can cost up to P300,000.