BI cautions against fake OECs

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned Filipinos seeking jobs abroad against getting overseas employment certificates (OECs) being offered online.

BI commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the warning after officers intercepted a new batch of departing Filipinos presenting counterfeit OECs.

The BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) reported the interception of three overseas Filipino workers after attempting to depart for Warsaw, Poland on board an Air China flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. The victims, one female, and two males, all in their 30s, said that they were recruited online and transacted with their recruiter via messenger. They each paid around P70,000 for the recruitment and their ticket, and paid an additional P7,000 allegedly for expeditious processing of their OECs.

They allegedly received their OECs via email.

Another incident was recorded at the Clark International Airport (CIA), where officers intercepted a male victim after presenting a counterfeit OEC.

The victim, who is 28 years old, attempted to depart to Dubai last May 28 on board an Emirates Airlines flight. He claimed to be working there as a personnel manager for a service provider and presented documents stating the same.

However, the BI’s centralized system detected discrepancies in his OEC, and the matter was referred to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) personnel on duty.

The BI meanwhile arrested a Taiwanese wanted by authorities in Taipei for fraud.

The fugitive, identified as 26-yearold Che Szu-Han, was arrested at the Clark freeport in Mabalacat, Pampanga, according to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Operatives from the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) arrested Che on the strength of a mission order which he issued upon request of the Taiwanese authorities.