Lawmakers seek inquiry into fake Philippine passports

MANILA, Philippines — Administration lawmakers yesterday vowed to unmask government officials in Davao City who were behind the alleged scheme of giving Chinese nationals falsified birth certificates for the purpose of applying for a Philippine passport.

“We need to strengthen our legislative framework to ensure that rigorous verification processes are in place for the issuance of birth certificates,” Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said.

“A birth certificate is more than just a document; it symbolizes a Filipino’s connection to the country. It is the first official document that all Filipinos receive as their birthright, establishing their official tie to the nation. This is not something that can be easily given, fabricated, milled or bought. Filipinos are not for sale. There should be no fake Pinoys,” Almario added.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Davao, led by Archie Albao, disclosed that Hengson Lemosnero, originally identified by the NBI as “Hanlin Qiu,” was apprehended at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Ecoland after applying for Philippine passport using a fake birth certificate.

Lemosnero was one of the 200 Chinese nationals who acquired falsified birth certificates from the municipal civil registry of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

“We are outraged by these reports. What enrages us here, and is, at the same time, saddening, is that these Chinese nationals may have links with criminal and drug syndicates, that’s why they were issued spurious birth certificates,” said Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun.

“They probably also found the easiest route to secure spurious documents to conceal their true identities and citizenship to continue their nefarious activities here in the country. This is why Congress has to investigate this,” Khonghun added.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who has also called for an inquiry, would like to know if these Chinese nationals had a backer that emboldened them to “make a mockery of the sanctity of the country’s birth certificate.”

“This discovery is not only unacceptable, but an outright affront to our national security and sovereignty,” Adiong said.

“The issuance