The Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted a male passenger who attempted to leave the country, using a fake Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
According to a report from the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) headed by Mary Jane Hizon, the passenger, a man in his 30s, was about to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong on August 15 at the NAIA Terminal 3 when officers flagged his documents for verification.
The passenger presented an OEC showing employment as an administrative officer in Hong Kong but upon checking, it was immediately found to be fake and originally issued to another individual.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the passenger was prevented from boarding and is now undergoing further investigation. Authorities believe the spurious document was obtained through illegal online sellers who have been targeting aspiring overseas workers.
The use of fraudulent documents not only violates immigration and labor laws but also exposes travelers to risks of exploitation and human trafficking, Sandoval said.
