Ombudsman Samuel Martires
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Office of the Ombudsman will launch its own inquiry into the alleged issuance of Philippine passports and other official public documents to Chinese nationals and other foreigners, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said on Tuesday.
鈥淲e have to investigate the people involved in this,鈥� Martires told reporters after appearing at the Senate plenary budget deliberations.
Media help sought
Offhand, he said, unscrupulous public officials may be held liable for 鈥渃ausing undue injury to the Filipino people鈥� by illegally facilitating the release of government-issued documents that should only be given to Filipino citizens.
The country鈥檚 chief graft buster also sought the assistance of the media in its investigation as he underscored the critical role of journalists in the fight against corruption.
鈥淎ll I have to do [later] is to validate the information that I get from members of the press,鈥� he said.
National security
On Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri asked the and the to help unmask those behind the modus, pointing out that it would have national security implications.
搁贰础顿:听Pogo proliferation points to potential covert spying in PH 鈥� Hontiveros
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen kidnap-for-ransom, extortion, and sex trafficking [activities] being done by foreigners using our legal documents. It鈥檚 unheard of in other countries,鈥� Zubiri said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Chinese citizens working in Philippine offshore gaming operators were among those who had obtained authentic identification cards through fraudulent means.