The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its officers at the international airport in Clark, Pampanga arrested a Canadian who attempted to leave for Hongkong with a fake Philippine visa.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified the passenger as Nelson John Amos, 64, who was intercepted Aug. 3 at the Clark International Airport (CIA) before he could board an HK Express flight to Hongkong.
“He is now detained at our custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings,” Tansingco said.
Reports said the Canadian was arrested after the BI officer who processed him noticed that the ACR I-Card presented by the passenger was not recognized or reflected in the BI’s automated travel control system.
It was later found that the holder of the passenger’s ACR I-Card number is a Korean national with a different name and date of birth.
BI anti-fraud personnel who examined the ACR I-Card and visa also certified that said documents are counterfeit.
Amos later admitted that he procured the fake travel documents from a fixer who demanded P40,000 as processing and service fees.
He said he received the ACR I-Card and his passport with the fake visa barely a week after he gave the money. He further insisted he was not aware that the said travel documents are counterfeit.
Reacting to the incident, Tansingco again warned foreigners in the country to be wary of fixers offering to process their documents at the BI in return for hefty fees.
He advised aliens to transact directly at any of the BI’s 63 offices nationwide. The list may be found at the BI’s website at immigration.gov.ph.
