An Israeli national who attempted to leave the Philippines on a fake passport was nabbed by authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
The Bureau of Immigration’s border control and intelligence unit (BI--BCIU) said the passenger, a 28-year-old Israeli national of Philippine descent whose identity was withheld, was intercepted at the NAIA terminal 3 as he was boarding a flight to Indonesia.
Immigration officials noted “glaring irregularities” in the bio-page of the Philippine passport the man presented, prompting them to detain him for questioning.
“When asked by the immigration officer how and where he obtained the said passport, the passenger readily admitted that he procured the same from a fixer for a fee of P10,000,” BI-BCIU overall deputy chief Joseph Cueto reported.
Upon verification with the BI’s forensic documents laboratory, it was confirmed that the entire document is indeed counterfeit.
The man is currently detained at the BI’s detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said enhanced security features on Philippine passports have made it easier for officials at airports to spot counterfeit passports.
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