MANILA – A Canadian who attempted to leave for Hong Kong with a fake Philippine visa was recently arrested at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Wednesday.
In a news release, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the passenger as Nelson John Amos, 64, who was intercepted before he could board an HK Express flight on Aug. 3.
"He is now detained at our custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings," Tansingco added.
Amos was arrested after the immigration officer who processed his documents noticed that the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card presented by the passenger was not recognized or reflected in the BI’s automated travel control system.
Authorities later found out that the holder of the passenger’s ACR I-Card number was a Korean national with a different name and date of birth.
An examination of the ACR I-Card and visa of the foreigners by BI anti-fraud personnel showed that these documents were counterfeit.
Amos later admitted that he bought the fake travel documents from a fixer who charged PHP40,000 as processing and service fees. He received the ACR I-Card and his passport with the fake visa barely a week after he gave the money.
He also insisted he was not aware that these travel documents were counterfeit.
Tansingco again warned foreign nationals against fixers offering to process their documents at the BI in return for hefty fees.
Foreign nationals may transact directly at any of the BI’s 63 offices nationwide.
Tansingco said the list of BI offices may be found on their website immigration.gov.ph. (PNA)
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