‘Firm could handle visas for Chinese’

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday revealed a plan to have global outsourcing and technology services firm Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) handle the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals coming to the Philippines instead of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Remulla cited as grounds the issues of national security with China and the continued human trafficking of Chinese nationals to the Philippines. He said the DFA has no capability to verify the documents submitted by visa applicants. The Justice Secretary said the proposal is nothing new and has been discussed before with DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo. He said many countries, including those in Europe, have been using VFS.