BI intercepts 2 China-bound Pinays victimized by fake marriage scheme

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted two Filipinas bound for China over an alleged fraudulent marriage scheme.

In a news release Thursday, the BI said the victims were rescued in separate incidents in Cebu and Manila.

Among the victims is a 23-year-old Filipina who was intercepted at the Mactan International Airport on July 23.

The BI immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES) said the victim told immigration officers she is traveling to China to visit her alleged Chinese husband.

She initially presented genuine documents including a marriage certificate, a civil registrar's certificate but the immigration officers found inconsistencies between her statements and documents.

The victim later admitted there was no wedding and BI officers confirmed that the Commission on Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Program certificate she presented was fake. She said her alleged spouse arranged the documents through an agent.

Meanwhile, immigration personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted a Chinese man and a 20-year-old Filipina victim believed to be a mail order bride.

BI said the victim and her escort were bound for Chengdu and attempted to fly out of the country amid Super Typhoon Carina.

The couple presented a genuine PSA marriage certificate and photos to immigration officers but the victim later admitted that a fixer arranged all their supposed marriage documents for a fee of P45,000.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco appealed to Filipinos enticed to work abroad through the mail order bride scheme. 

“Wala tayong nakitang mabuting resulta nito. Those who were victimized end up penniless, enslaved without pay by their pseudo partners,” said Tansingco. 

(We see no good results from this. Those who were victimized end up penniless, enslaved without pay by their pseudo partners.)

“Let us protect ourselves by making sure that we only work abroad through legal means,” he added.

The victims and the male escort were turned over to the Inter-agency Council against trafficking (IACAT) for investigation.—RF, GMA Integrated News