DFA, agencies’ MOU to combat spurious passport applications

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various government agencies to strengthen cooperation in combating fraudulent passport applications.

Officials from the DFA, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Immigration, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police, Philippine Center for Transnational Crime and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center signed the MOU for Interagency Cooperation and Collaboration on Operation Sentinel.

The MOU would enable agencies to improve data sharing efficiency, develop interoperable systems, ensure prompt coordinated responses, and institute necessary checks and balances, according to DFA Undersecretary Jesus Domingo.

Domingo added that the MOU is a powerful testament to a “strengthened, whole-of-government approach in tackling the issue of fraudulent passport applications and illegal acquisitions of passports by foreign nationals.”

The DFA recently canceled the Philippine passport of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, saying that it was acquired through fraudulent means after receiving certification from the NBI that the biometrics of Alice Leal Guo in the passport database match those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.