Around 200 falsified birth certificates were allegedly issued by the Local Civil Registry (LCR) of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur to Chinese nationals from 2018 to 2019, the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) disclosed on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

NBI-11 made the disclosure following the arrest of a 21-year-old Chinese national who submitted a falsified birth certificate when he applied for a Philippine passport in Davao City. The birth certificate was issued by the LCR of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

“Based sa mga nakuha namin na falsified birth certificate sa Sta Cruz, mga around almost 200 na birth certificates, we are still continuing to investigate doon sa Sta Cruz LCR. Katong 200, 2018 and 2019, kini siya 2013 so we surmise marami pa,” NBI-11 Director, Atty. Arcelito Albao, said.

NBI-11 also disclosed that it was also the LCR of Sta. Cruz that issued the birth certificates of some of those arrested and allegedly involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Manila and other regions. Others were business owners.

The LCR of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur has yet to issue a statement.

NBI-11 will press charges against the former head of the LCR once he or she is proven to be involved in the illegal activity.

Authorities did not disclose the name of the former head of the LCR while investigation is still ongoing.

“In place naman yung batas natin sa scrutiny na lang sa mga document na prine-present kasi most...kasi pag late registration alam mo na...pareho nito sa pag-apply sa DFA alam mo namang hindi talaga Filipino kasi hindi marunong magbisaya and tagalog very well from that point lang alam mo na kung ano siya,” Albao said.