The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has raised alarms about the dangers of using counterfeit travel documents, advising Filipinos planning to migrate to utilize only official government channels for their documentation needs. This advisory follows the interception of two Filipino women at the border, one of whom was found carrying a fraudulent CFO certificate, leading to their detention by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further inquiry.
The CFO highlighted the severe legal repercussions for those caught with fake certificates, pointing out that such actions violate Section 22 (b) of Republic Act 11983, the New Philippine Passport Act. Offenders could face imprisonment ranging from six years and one day to 15 years, alongside fines between PHP100,000 and PHP250,000. The agency stressed that falsifying travel documents is a grave offense.
Moreover, individuals involved in the creation or distribution of fake travel documents could be prosecuted under Republic Act 9208, as amended by Republic Act 10364, known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. This legislation mandates a 15-year prison term and fines from PHP500,000 to PHP1 million for those who produce, print, issue, or distribute counterfeit certificates or markers used to comply with government regulations and pre-departure requirements, which could facilitate human trafficking.
The CFO certificate is mandatory for certain groups of Filipinos traveling abroad, such as immigrants, permanent residents, spouses or partners of foreign nationals, participants in the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP), and Filipino Au Pair participants. To obtain this certificate, applicants must participate in a pre-departure seminar or counseling session, which equips them with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities abroad.
In an effort to combat the use of fake CFO certificates, the agency has strengthened its collaboration with immigration authorities. This includes integrating the CFO’s Application Programming Interface (API) with the Bureau of Immigration’s Border Control Information System to expedite the verification of travel documents. The CFO’s database is also connected to the government’s eTravel app, enhancing processing speeds at immigration checkpoints and improving inter-agency data sharing.
The CFO strongly advises Filipino migrants to steer clear of fixers and unauthorized agents, reinforcing that only the government can issue legitimate CFO certificates. For detailed guidance on obtaining travel documents, the public is encouraged to visit www.cfo.gov.ph.