The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said that it is now focusing its attention on a recent modus it has uncovered.
As part of their massive campaign to remove illegal aliens in the country, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that they are working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in uncovering aliens who use fake companies to obtain working visas.
As part of the stringent auditing of the BI’s verification and compliance division (VCD), the BI reported that a list of more than 100 companies are undergoing verification for submission of spurious documents in their visa application.
These foreign nationals are suspected to have used the services of unscrupulous individuals who provided documents of fake companies.
“We have relayed the initial findings to the Secretary of Justice this October,” said Tansingco. “This is a continuing audit, and have already initiated the cancellation of the visas for those aliens petitioned by fake companies,” he added.
“We are one with the DOJ in our mutual desire to put an end to illicit practices that abuse the visa issuance system, and likewise see the need to reorganize the way the Philippine government issues visas to foreign nationals both in and out the country,” the BI Chief said.
BI runs after fake companies
The internal auditing was prompted by massive raids of local law enforcement agencies uncovering scam hubs and prostitution dens posing as legitimate companies.
Tansingco said that he has ordered the immediate blacklisting of foreign nationals petitioned by said fake companies who are outside the country. Those who are in the country, Tansingco said, are ordered to leave and are included in the BI’s blacklist.
The BI Chief also said that the accreditation of liaison officers who attempt to submit applications petitioned by fake companies may be revoked.
“This serves as a warning that we will not tolerate falsification of any kind,” said Tansingco. “We are serious in our intent to rid the country of illegal aliens, and we will continue to run after those who attempt to coddle such violators,” he added.
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