PH Authorities Put 23 Passport Fixers Behind Bars

The Southern Police District (SPD) arrested 23 passport fixers in three separate entrapment operations.

According to their victims, the fixers asked P8,000 to P10,000 for a passport appointment for walk-in passport applicants. The victims also got an endorsement letter from a government agency.

“Binigyan po kami na maliit na slip then instructions kung saan kami pupunta sa loob ng DFA tsaka kung ano yung mga gagawin namin,” Jenny, one of the victims, said.

Another victim, Berto, said that the recruiters asked P9,000 for him to get a ‘VIP treatment’ during the passport application.

“Inalok po nila ako mayroon daw VIP yung tinatawag na endoresemnt po. 9000 po yung hiningi sa akin,” Berto told authorities.

The authorities also said that the suspects introduce themselves as employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Director of passport division of DFA Ricarte Abejuela III reminded passport applicants that passport appointments are free.

“If somebody approaches an applicant and offers an appointment in exchange of payment, red flag na ho kaagad yan. Ilegal na ho agad yan,” Abejuela said.

“Pangalawa, The DFA only has one appointment website and that’s passport.gov.ph”

DFA plans to open additional consular office nationwide to address problems in shortage of passport appointment schedules.

(Source: FilipinoTimes.net)