The National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) has started probing the issuance of over 1,200 birth certificates to Chinese nationals in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
NBI-11 Director Arcelito Albao on Tuesday said “they have received information about the 1,200 late registrations, and have looked into reports if some of these individuals have criminal records in the Philippines.”
According to Albao, they are still verifying how many among the 1,200 birth certificates are falsified.
The investigation stemmed from the recent apprehension of a 21-year old Chinese national who allegedly used a spurious birth certificate issued at the Local Civil Registry Office in Sta. Cruz to apply for a Philippine passport.
The suspect, using the name Hengson Jabillez Limosnero, was believed to be Qui Halin. He was arrested following the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) report, wherein “the individual had provided contradictory statements while applying for a passport to travel to the US.”
Meanwhile, the NBI reported that Mario Tizon, the Sta. Cruz’s civil registrar since 1994, has been suspended. It also expanded its investigation nationwide, probing areas such as Pampanga and Tarlac, where most of the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs were located.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in a statement also assured they will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, blocking doubtful birth records in the PSA database, and case building for purposes of endorsing the same for possible filing of a petition for cancelation of birth record/certificate.
