Remulla to recommend VFS for Chinese visa issuance citing security concerns

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla | INQUIRER.net / Tetch Torres-Tupas

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said they would recommend to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to tap the Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) when issuing visas for foreigners entering the Philippines from China.

“Sinisikap namin pag-aralan muli yung visa issuing system natin at itutulak muli sa ating Pangulo na wag na DFA ang maghandle ng visas papasok dito galing China,” Remulla said.

(We are striving to reexamine our visa issuing system and will once again push for our President to consider having the DFA no longer handle visas for those entering from China.)

Remulla said fake companies, travel agencies and Immigration personnel have been helping foreigners from China facilitate their visas to be able to enter the Philippines.

“National security issue na yan pag nagpe peke sila ng ganyan. Binabalewala ng mga taong ito ang kahalagahan ng ating territorial boundaries,” Remulla said.

(That’s a national security issue when they fake things like that. These people are disregarding the importance of our territorial boundaries.)

Remulla said the illegal entry of foreigners from China is a “big problem” especially with the country’s ongoing territorial dispute plus the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator.

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VFS is a visa outsourcing and technology services specialist.

Remulla said VFS has the capability to verify information to determine of a person is qualified to enter another country.