MANILA— Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers intercepted a 28-year-old male passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on the evening of October 7 after he attempted to bypass primary inspection using a passport bearing a counterfeit departure stamp.

The BI Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) said the passenger was referred for secondary inspection after a primary inspector noticed a suspicious departure stamp on his passport.

“The passenger claimed that he had already completed his departure formalities and presented himself as a tourist bound for Malaysia,” said I-PROBES Chief Leni Maminta.

During questioning, the passenger said he had met a supposed contact inside Terminal 3 who took his passport and boarding pass before returning the documents with the counterfeit stamp.

He said the individual had promised to assist him with immigration procedures and travel documents through Telegram, adding that he did not know the arrangement involved placing a fake departure stamp on his passport.

The passenger also disclosed that he had been recruited for a customer service representative (CSR) position and interviewed by a foreign national before his scheduled departure. He said the individuals involved did not ask for payment in exchange for returning his travel documents.

The BI Forensic Documents Laboratory subsequently examined the passport and confirmed that the departure stamp was counterfeit.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado expressed concern over the reported scheme and warned the public against dealing with unauthorized individuals offering immigration assistance or overseas employment opportunities.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant when considering overseas job offers facilitated by unauthorized individuals. Such arrangements may expose applicants to human trafficking, illegal recruitment, or other forms of exploitation,” Viado said.

The passenger was turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for appropriate assistance and further investigation into his recruitment and travel, as well as possible violations committed by the individuals involved.