Cousin of Pinoy traveler in '10 birth certificates' issue demands BI to prove 'multiple red flags' claims
The relative of the Filipino traveler who missed her flight after failing to present 10 birth certificates of her ancestors is demanding the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to substantiate its claims about raising “multiple red flags" during her interview.
The traveler was supposed to spend a 14-day vacation in Taiwan, care of her cousin Ammie Liau, but was denied travel due to “numerous inconsistencies” in her stories about her sponsor as well as her purpose for flying to another country.
The BI in a statement said that during its assessment, there was "mention of a possible work" in Taiwan. The agency added that the traveler, who had to rebook her original June 29 flight due to missing documents, claimed she was traveling abroad to visit a distant relative.
“Nandoon 'yung disappointment niya, discouragement niya na bakit ganun ang naging conclusion ng BI," Liau told state-run PTV. "Kumbaga, siya pa ang lumabas na nagsisinungaling."
"That’s why I asked [immigration] na they have to show their evidence na ‘yun talaga ang sinabi ng pinsan ko, na i-prove nila na 'yun po talaga ang purpose ng pinsan ko na pagpunta dito sa Taiwan is yung magtrabaho,” she added.
The BI in its statement noted the traveler was “unable to establish her relationship with her sponsor.”
Citing the Department of Justice's guidelines on departure formalities, the BI said departing passengers whose purpose and capacity are not fully established may be sponsored by a relative within the fourth civil degree.
While Liau acknowledged that her cousin wasn't able to initially answer the question about how they became relatives, she stressed that the latter was honest during the interview.
According to the BI, Liau's cousin also allegedly failed to prove her financial capacity for her trip.
When the cousin said she only had P2,000 pocket money for the trip, there was supposedly discrimination and assumption that she'd work in Taiwan.
“Honest ang ginagawa namin. Hindi ko siya pinadalhan ng pera just to prove na may pera siya," Liau said. "So, doon pa lang, siyempre, na-feel niya parang may ano, na 'Wala ba talagang pagkakataon para makaalis ang isang mahirap?’"
"So, kumbaga, doon naisip niya, ‘Baka iniisip nila dahil walang-wala ako, wala akong pera, mahirap lang ako. Iisipin nila ang purpose ko talaga doon, maghanap ng pera,'" she added.
To date, the BI said it's conducting an investigation on the incident.