The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned the public of attempts by unscrupulous individuals to commit passport irregularities following the arrest of three foreign nationals who were allegedly attempting to secure Philippine passports from the consular office (CO) in Lucena City, Quezon.
The DFA said the suspects were arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives “for attempting to commit acts in violation of the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and other related laws.”
“We commend the sharpness of the CO Lucena staff in immediately identifying the spurious documents presented by these foreign nationals, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Frank R. Ferrer said.
Despite threats to their lives and attempts at bribery, Ferrer said, the staff “followed the law to the letter and immediately coordinated with NBI to apprehend these individuals.”
He said the DFA will continue to cooperate with the NBI against all forms of passport irregularities, including those detected at the DFA Office of Consular Affairs at Aseana, Parañaque and other COs nationwide.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to be vigilant against any and all forms of passport irregularities,” Ferrer added as he assured that such transgressions and illegal acts “will not go unpunished.”
“The department looks forward to the results of the investigations and possible prosecution of these foreigners and other individuals involved in the attempts to circumvent our laws in order to gain rights given only to Filipinos,” Ferrer stressed.