FAKE travel documents are still being presented at immigration counters. 

In 2023 alone, the Bureau of Immigration’s anti-fraud section examined 241 fraudulent and counterfeit documents.

The questioned documents that went through examination included birth and marriage certificates used for visa applications, as well as passports, visas, and immigration stamps used for international travel.

Most of the fake documents come from fixers who promise to provide quick processing of applicants’ documents, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

Meanwhile, the BI had procured three new video spectral comparators, which are used for advanced forensic-level document examination and can be used to check travel and identity documents, including passports, ID cards, visas, and permits.

Another two were earlier donated by the Australian government. 

“Those who attempt to use spurious documents will definitely be intercepted,” Tansingco said.