Probe of fake birth certificates pushed

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MANILA, Philippines — Neophyte lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Sunday called for a congressional inquiry into the alleged birth certificate mill for Chinese nationals in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Majority Representatives Cheeno Miguel Almario, Jefferson Khonghun, Zia Adiong, Raul Angelo Bongalon, Francisco Paolo Ortega V, and Faustino Dy V sought an investigation into the discovery of the National Bureau of Investigation.

READ: NBI Davao uncovers ‘200 falsified birth certificates’ issued to Chinese

The NBI found that the Santa Cruz civil registrar issued some 200 birth certificates to Chinese nationals, one of whom was arrested at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Davao City after applying for a Philippine passport using the document.

Almario said: “We must understand that a birth certificate is more than just a document. It is the first official document that every Filipino receives as their birthright, establishing their official tie to the nation.” —Jeannette I. Andrade