The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges against public officials and private individuals linked to a scheme that facilitated the issuance of fraudulent birth certificates.
Investigators found that the main beneficiaries were foreign nationals, mostly of Chinese origin, who used fictitious identities to obtain Filipino civil status and citizenship.
The probe, conducted by the NBI’s Central Mindanao Regional Office with the Philippine Statistics Authority, focused on irregularities in the civil registry offices of Pikit and Aleosan, North Cotabato.
Authorities uncovered a coordinated conspiracy involving registrars, staff, and a retired official who allegedly processed late birth registrations using falsified documents, with some records issued without proper verification in exchange for bribes.
The NBI recommended charges under the Civil Register Law, Anti-Graft law, and Code of Conduct for public officials, along with falsification and perjury. Officials warned the scheme poses national security risks and enables illegal access to government identification and services.
