NBI flags 50,000 fake birth certificates

MANILA, Philippines — More than 50,000 suspected fake birth certificates have been recorded in over 1,600 civil registry offices nationwide, according to the National Bureau of Investigation.

The NBI said high-risk areas include Pikit and Aleosan towns in North Cotabato, where cases have already been filed against several civil registry officials and other people involved in the scheme.

The investigation, conducted in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority, uncovered collusion among local civil registrars, their staff and a retired municipal civil registrar who allegedly acted as a private facilitator.

Authorities said the suspects failed to follow legal protocols in processing late birth registrations, using falsified documents.

The NBI said foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were among the primary beneficiaries, using fake identities to obtain Filipino civil status and citizenship.

Evidence showed that some documents were “ready-made” and released without proper verification, in exchange for money and other benefits, the NBI said.

Charges have been filed for violations of the Civil Register Law, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Code of Conduct for Public Officials as well as falsification of public documents and perjury under the Revised Penal Code.