BI asks PNP to examine passport of Egyptian ISIS member

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an examination on the passport of Egyptian national Fehmi Lassoued. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an examination on the passport of Egyptian national Fehmi Lassoued, an alleged member of terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) who was nabbed by authorities last week.

“In light of the recent information, the BI has coordinated with and requested the PNP for a cursory examination of the document to determine if it is fake or a genuine passport but fraudulently acquired,” BI Spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang said.

“Likewise we have sent request to the honorary consulate of Tunisia here to determine if the passport is genuinely issued,” the BI official added.

Mangrobang added that the Egyptian national was allowed entry in the country since he was not included in the Interpol watchlist.

“He does not have a derogatory record in the Bureau’s database. We have no record as well that he was denied entry in two countries po,” she said.

“Fehmi Lassoued underwent immigration inspection and was admitted into the country upon presentation of his passport and determination of the absence of any BI derogatory record or Interpol notice. On the authenticity of the passport, the BI primary inspectors’ initial determination is that the passport is genuine,” Mangrobang added.

On Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa reported the arrest of the suspected ISIS member and his Filipina partner, Anabel Moncera Salipada from Upi in Maguindanao in Manila.

They were arrested in a rented place in Room 409, Casa Blanca Apartment along M. Adriatico, Malate, Manila.

Dela Rosa said Lassoued entered the country with a fake Tunisian passport in July 2016.