CFO warns vs. fake travel docs amid stricter immigration checks

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

This came after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) barred two Filipino women from leaving the country after one of them was caught with a fake CFO certificate. (Photo: Bureau of Immigration)

MANILA – The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) on Tuesday issued a stern warning to migrating Filipinos against fake travel documents and fixers, urging them to process their papers only through official government channels.

This came after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) barred two Filipino women from leaving the country after one of them was caught with a fake CFO certificate.

Both of them have been detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) holding facility pending investigation of their case.

“Those caught with fake CFO certificates may be charged with violation of Section 22 (b) of Republic Act (RA) 11983, the New Philippine Passport Act, which prescribes a penalty of imprisonment of not less than six years and one day to 15 years, and a fine of not less than PHP100,000, but not more than PHP250,000 for anyone who makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates, or alters any passport or other travel document or any supporting document for a passport application,” the CFO said in a news release.

The CFO also reminded the public that falsifying travel documents is a serious offense.

In addition, it said individuals involved in the production or distribution of fake travel documents may also face charges under Republic Act 9208, as amended by Republic Act 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

This law imposes a penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than PHP500,000 but not more than PHP1 million for anyone who produces, prints, and issues or distributes unissued, tampered, or fake counseling certificates, registration stickers, overseas employment certificates or other certificates of any government agency which issues these certificates, decals and such other markers as proof of compliance with government regulatory and pre-departure requirements to promote trafficking in persons.

The CFO certificate is a required document for specific categories of Filipinos traveling abroad, including immigrants or permanent residents moving to another country, Filipino spouses or partners of foreign nationals, Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) participants, and Filipino Au Pair participants.

The CFO said applicants must attend a pre-departure seminar or counseling session, designed to prepare them for life overseas, ensuring that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities before they are issued the certificate.

To curb the use of fake CFO certificates, the agency has enhanced its coordination with immigration authorities, integrating the CFO’s Application Programming Interface (API) with the BI’s Border Control Information System, for a faster verification of travel documents.

Additionally, the CFO database is linked to the government’s eTravel app, allowing faster processing at immigration checkpoints and improved data-sharing among government agencies.

The CFO urges Filipino migrants to avoid fixers and unauthorized agents, emphasizing that only the government can issue valid CFO certificates.

For more information on how to secure travel documents, the public is advised to visit www.cfo.gov.ph.