CFO reminds Pinoys to verify online posts on visa applications

The Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) on Thursday reminded the public to verify posts online before engaging with the accounts when applying for a visa abroad.

Secretary Dante "Klink" Ang II, chairperson of the CFO, made the statement following the announcement of the US Embassy in the Philippines that a Filipino was arrested for presenting fake documents during a US visa application.

"Kung may mga ganyong nag-aalok, siguro magtanong, busisiin ng mabuti kasi baka talaga makakatulong o baka hindi," Ang said in an interview on the sidelines of the 2026 BalinkBayan Stakeholders Conference in Muntinlupa City.

(If there are people offering such services, it's best to ask questions and assess them carefully because they may or may not actually be of help.)

"Pero 'wag lang siguro pikit mata na susundan just because may mas madali or mas mabilis. Minsan kasi may legitimate pero dapat aware rin tayo na may iba talaga ang interest nila," he added.

(But we shouldn't blindly follow them just because they offer an easier or faster option. Sometimes, their offers may be legitimate, but we also have to be aware that some of them may have other interests.)

The US Embassy said its consular officers inform Philippine authorities whenever they discover fraudulent Philippine documents in the visa application process.

"We take visa fraud seriously. Recently, the US embassy notified Philippine law enforcement about visa fraud, resulting in the arrest of an applicant using fake documents," the US Embassy said.

"Here is what you need to know. When our consular officers discover fraudulent Philippine documents, we notify the Philippine government authorities," it added.

The CFO is mandated to protect the interests and well-being of non-resident Filipinos, including immigrant visa holders, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, Filipinos of foreign descent, European-bound au pairs, and exchange students.

Ang reminded Filipinos anew to undergo proper procedures and avoid taking shortcuts when applying for immigration visas.

"Dapat natin paalahanan na meron dapat mga prosesong na hindi dapat ignore at dapat sundan para sa interest din nila, para makamit nila ang success na hinahanap nila," Ang said.

(We should remind the public that there are processes that should not be ignored and must be followed. This is for their own interest, so they can achieve the success they are seeking.)

Based on government records, CFO said there are 5.4 million overseas Filipinos recorded in the US in 2024. — VDV, GMA News