Foreign tourists warned vs fixers offering fake docs

FOREIGN tourists have been warned by the Bureau of Immigration against fixers offering fake documents particularly emigration clearance certificate (ECC).

Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued a warning against fake documents circulating amidst the holiday season.

The warning follows the interception of a Korean national identified as Ke Shuiyin, 45, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 last December 15 after presenting a fake emigration clearance certificate (ECC).

An ECC is required of foreign visitors who have stayed in the country for more than 6 months.

Ke attempted to board a China Southern flight to Guangzhou, China but was intercepted by primary inspection officers upon suspecting the authenticity of the document she presented.

Upon verification, it was confirmed that the ECC she submitted was fraudulent. Ke was denied boarding, and was subsequently arrested for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

Tansingco then warned foreign nationals in the country to refrain from securing the services of ‘fixers’ promising expeditious processing of documents especially during the holiday rush.

“Processing has been made easy and convenient, and we have 60 offices nationwide that can cater to different immigration transactions. There are also numerous BI-accredited agencies and law firms that may assist you in your applications,” said Tansingco. “Refrain from going to fixers for your documents, as it will only get you in trouble,” he warned.