Wednesday, August 10, 2011
08 August 2011 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its warning to the public against unscrupulous individuals who charge exhorbitant fees in exchange for passport assistance and other consular services.
This is in light of a recent apprehension and eventual arrest of nine (9) persons for violation of Pasay City Ordinance No. 624, "An Ordinance Prohibiting Fixing in Government Offices in Pasay City". The DFA Office of Intelligence Services (DFA-OIS) coordinated with the Pasay City Police on the said matter when a civic-oriented applicant reported a similar case to the DFA Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA).
Even if there has been a significant decrease in the presence of fixers along Libertad-Harrison streets, the DFA informs the public that there are still fixers who have been capitalizing on their knowledge of the application procedures to convince would-be victims who are mostly first timers from the provinces or newly-arrived overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), to give in to their offer of assistance for a fee.
In view of these illegal activities carried out by these unscrupulous individuals, the DFA strongly advises the public not to deal or transact any business with these people. Likewise, it urges the public to report immediately any instance they need to the security officers available in the area or to the nearest police station.
The DFA strongly urges the public to go through the legitimate application process and to avoid fixers at all costs.
The DFA is ready to assist all applicants with their concerns and issues in passporting and other consular matters.
For more information and inquiries, please contact (632) 556-0000, (632) 737-1000 or e-mail epassport@dfa.gov.ph or passport.oca@yahoo.com . END
