Department of Foreign Affairs to probe ranks for visa-selling ring
2nd December 2006
THE Department of Foreign Affairs has started an investigation into the allegations of a lawmaker that some foreign affairs and immigration officials were conniving to sell entry permits and visas to aliens for P500,000 each.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Maglaya said that while the department was waiting for the details on the syndicate exposed by Rep. Robert Barbers of Surigao del Norte, they had asked its Office of Consular Affairs and the Office of Intelligence and Security Services to look into the allegations.
“Foreign Affairs also looks forward to the introduction soon of machine-readable slots electronic passports that could minimize if not eradicate tampering of passports,� Maglaya said. Barbers said the visa-for-sale operation makes the ring inside the immigration bureau the “biggest organized crime syndicate in the country.�
Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez firmly denied Barbers’ allegation and said he was willing to have his office investigated. He added that the bureau does not issue visas, it’s Foreign Affairs that does. (Manila Times)