DFA: Foreigners continue to seek illegal entry via fraudulent travel exemption documents

Various Philippine diplomatic posts have reported a continuing trend of foreigners seeking illegal entry to the Philippines by submitting fake travel exemption documents, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

Warning against any form of scam related to the entry of foreign nationals into the Philippines, the DFA said entry restrictions are still currently in place pursuant to the directives of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Office of the President.

The DFA warned that “individuals or groups that present fraudulent entry exemption documents will be dealt with accordingly” and appropriate charges will be filed against those involved in these activities.

“Foreign nationals are advised to be guided by information posted on www.dfa.gov.ph or the Bureau of Immigration website and social media accounts on the current entry restrictions to the Philippines,” a DFA advisory said.

No figures were provided by the department, but said its diplomatic posts continue to receive applications from individuals seeking illegal entry into the Philippines amid the global pandemic. The DFA also did not identify the posts that received such applications.

Philippine embassies or consulates, the DFA said, do not collect a “Travel Exemption Fee” or any kind of fee whatsoever for the issuance of entry exemption documents.

“The public is encouraged to report to the DFA through the email address oca@dfa.gov.ph those individuals or groups involved in such activities,” it said. 

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it can “easily” verify the authenticity of entry exemption documents.

“Do not use falsified documents to enter the country,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said on Thursday.

“You may visit our website, or send a message on our Facebook page should you need information about current travel restrictions,” he added.

Last October, the BI released a similar warning after intercepting a foreign seafarer attempting to enter the country using a falsified document. — with Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News