ADMINISTRATION congressmen yesterday called for a congressional inquiry into the issuance of about 200 falsified birth certificates by the local civil registry of Santa Cruz town in Davao del Sur to Chinese citizens, saying the House of Representatives needs to know if they have a backer in the province.
In a joint statement, a group of lawmakers, who call themselves “Young Guns,” expressed outrage at reports that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has found what they can only describe as a “mill” churning out fake birth certificates for Chinese nationals in a Davao del Sur town after one of the beneficiaries was arrested while applying for a passport in Davao City using the falsified document.
Reps. Cheeno Miguel Almario of Davao Oriental, Jefferson Khonghun of Zambales, Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Raul Angelo Bongalon (PL, Ako Bicol), Paolo Ortega of La Unio, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (PL, 1-Rider), and Faustino Dy V of Isabela called for a separate House inquiry on the NBI report after Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian sought a Senate investigation on the issue.
Gatchalian has said the issuance of 200 fake certificates, which were allegedly bought for an average of P300,000 each, is similar to the case of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who was able to secure a Philippine birth certificate and a passport.
Adiong would like to know if the Chinese nationals had a “backer” in Davao who “emboldened them to make a mockery of the sanctity of the country’s birth certificate.”
“This discovery is not only unacceptable but an outright affront to our national security and sovereignty. The issuance of falsified birth certificates to foreign nationals compromises the integrity of our civil registration system, undermines the trust of the Filipino people, and poses a significant threat to national security,” he said.
“It is imperative that the House of Representatives launches an immediate and thorough investigation into this matter in aid of legislation to prevent such egregious breaches from recurring. Ipatawag natin ang buong tanggapan ng (Let’s call the whole office of the) local civil registry ng (of) Sta. Cruz,” he added.
NBI South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (SEMRO) director Archie Albao earlier said Hengson Lemosnero, who was originally identified by the bureau as Hanlin Qiu, was apprehended at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Ecoland, Davao City after applying for a Philippine passport using a fake birth certificate.
Bongalon said the illegal activity “raises serious questions about the safeguards in place within our local civil registries and highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight and accountability measures.”
He said the procurement of birth certificates “must be fortified to prevent any exploitation by foreign infiltrators,” especially in light of the country’s dispute with China over its illegal incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Birth certificates are foundational documents that grant access to a range of rights and privileges, including citizenship, education and employment. Allowing foreign nationals to illegitimately obtain these documents undermines the very fabric of our nation,” Bongalon said.
Ortega said “Chinese infiltrators, armed with falsified Philippine birth certificates, pose a dire threat to the Philippines’ national security.”
“These individuals could potentially exploit their newfound status to engage in activities detrimental to our country, including espionage, economic sabotage and other criminal enterprises. The ramifications of such actions are far-reaching and could compromise our national defense, economy and public safety,” he said.
Moreover, Ortega said the issuance of fraudulent birth certificates can facilitate a range of criminal activities, from identity theft to human trafficking and smuggling.
“These crimes not only endanger the lives and welfare of Filipino citizens but also tarnish our international reputation and relations,” said Gutierrez. Almario called for a more “rigorous” verification processes for the issuance of birth certificates, which includes enhancing the capabilities of local civil registries, implementing more robust checks and balances, and imposing severe penalties on those found guilty of facilitating such fraud.
“We are outraged by these reports. Ang nakakagalit at nakakalungkot pa dito, baka may links sa mga criminal and drug syndicates ang mga Chinese nationals na na-isyuhan ng pekeng birth certificates (What’s more revolting is that these Chinese nationals who have been issued birth certificates might have links to criminal syndicates,” he saud.
For his part, Dy said the House must act decisively to address the issue because “this is a grave matter that demands immediate and resolute action.”
“We owe it to the Filipino people to protect the sanctity of our civil registration system and safeguard our national security. Let this be a rallying call for vigilance, integrity and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice and sovereignty,” he said.
