Thursday, September 23, 2010

DFA warns vs passport scam anew

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) has reiterated its warning against unscrupulous and enterprising individuals who charge exorbitant fees in exchange for a passport appointment.

It also warns the public against those who mislead passport applicants by telling them that they need to bring passport photos.

In a news release, the DFA-OCA clarifies that getting a passport appointment for passport processing is free and may be done through calling 737-1000 or logging on at the e-passport website.

“There is also no need to bring passport photos, as applicant’s photos and their biometric information (thumbprints and signature) will be taken at the ePassport enrollment center,” it said.

The DFA-OCA said it does not authorize any of its personnel to offer passport-related services to the public inside or outside its premises, particularly on securing appointments.

“The public is also advised not to deal or transact any business with people or even offices near the DFA offering passport-related services, such as charging exorbitant fees for passport photographs,” it said.

It advised the public that for any inquiries, urgent concerns or requests may be directed to any of the DFA-OCA Public Assistance personnel.

“In cases of emergency or urgency to travel, the DFA-OCA even waives the appointment requirement so as to facilitate the processing of passport applications,” it said.

This applies to such cases like overseas Filipino workers who already have job contracts, persons who need urgent medical attention abroad, and students and professionals who need to attend seminars and/or fellowship, among others, as long as the passport applicant can show supporting documents that he or she needs to travel overseas as soon as possible.

“They may immediately visit the Office of the Passport Director in DFA-OCA in Aseana Business Park, Paranaque City for proper evaluation of their requests,” it said.

The DFA-OCA also asked the public to report any suspicious or anomalous offers regarding passports to the Office of the Passport Director at 836-7759 to 60 or 834-2411.

Inquirer.net

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Cellphone Scammer +639153473202 and +639157071226

Another Scam message from +639153473202 and +639157071226

Musta na kyo? e2 na bago kung romeng#. d2 na kyo magtxt mis ko na kyo lahat.ingat kyo lgi.txbk

The scam is to invent story and the scammer will ask for load credit for his cell number. Calling NTC

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Reds all set to collect ‘fees’ in village polls–military



Communist rebels are expected to try to cash in on the upcoming October 25 barangay (village) elections by extorting money from candidates through their illegal “permit to campaign” (PTC) scam.

MANILA, Philippines—Communist rebels are expected to try to cash in on the upcoming October 25 barangay (village) elections by extorting money from candidates through their illegal “permit to campaign” (PTC) scam.

Candidates should beware of attempts by the communist New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, to get them to pay so-called PTC fees in exchange for campaign access to far-flung areas, said a military spokesperson.

Many candidates in the provinces are forced to pay the money to avoid being harassed by NPA rebels during the campaign.

But while issuing the warning, Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr., chief of the Armed Forces Civil Relations Service, said the NPA has had limited success with its extortion racket.

“During the last presidential elections (on May 10) we are happy and pleased that the insurgents barely or were not successful in their income-generating activities,” Mabanta said.

He said this was because the strength of the CPP-NPA has gone down drastically so that its ability to generate funds has been greatly diminished.

Mabanta said Armed Forces operational units will be meeting today to finalize plans for securing the elections.
The Commission on Elections traditionally deputizes the military and the police during elections to secure the polling precincts.

The gun ban starts on September 25 although the campaign period does not start until October 14.
Dona Pazzibugan