Ms. Grand Int’l bet Samantha Lo has no passport record with DFA —official

Bb. Pilipinas Grand International candidate Samantha Lo, who was reportedly held and deported by French authorities in France, has no official passport record at the Department of Foreign Affairs, an official said Friday.

Lo was on her way to Venezuela via Paris to represent the Philippines at the Miss Grand International pageant, but was held for questioning by French immigration for allegedly carrying a fake passport.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs received reports that Binibining Pilipinas-Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo was unable to continue her journey to Caracas due to alleged issues with her passport," Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Ed Meñez said in a statement.

"Based on an ongoing investigation, the DFA confirms that Ms. Lo has no record in the DFA passport database and is continuing the process of ascertaining the facts of the case."

Meñez said further queries on Lo's case "may be best answered by Bb Pilipinas organizers." —NB, GMA News