The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines has opened an investigation into cases of fake birth certificates obtained by Chinese nationals in Davao. According to the NBI, local governments in Davao helped the Chinese obtain the fake documents. The issue has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the country's identification system.
According to Archie Albao, the NBI chief in Southeastern Mindanao, aside from Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, there are other areas suspected of being involved in the fake birth certificate scheme. Although the other areas were not yet identified, Albao said the NBI already has important information and will release more details once the investigation is complete.
The NBI earlier filed 66 counts of criminal charges against public officials from the Santa Cruz Municipal Civil Registry. The charges include corruption, forgery, and violating civil registry laws. The cases filed include Chinese nationals who are said to have obtained fake birth certificates from authorities.
In initial investigations, it is estimated that up to 1,500 fake birth certificates were issued in Santa Cruz from 2018 to 2021. According to Albao, this number may increase because the review of records before 2018 and after 2021 has not been completed.
Due to the new findings, Jaime Santiago, the head of the NBI, ordered a wide-ranging inspection of local civil registry offices nationwide. Especially in the regions of Luzon and Visayas, to determine if there are other fake document networks spreading throughout the Philippines.
