Philippines suspends issuing of Hajj passports

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines

The Philippines has suspended the issuing of Hajj passports to pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia, in the wake of a scandal that saw almost 200 people from other countries impersonating Philippines nationals to take advantage of its Hajj quota.

On Tuesday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay told reporters in Manila that he had issued an order for the immediate suspension pending the outcome of an investigation.

The issuing of the passports was abused because of the “barest minimum” requirements in proving one’s identity and Philippine citizenship, he added

On Aug. 19, around 200 foreigners -- 177 Indonesians and 10 Malaysians -- were stopped from boarding an early morning flight to Saudi Arabia after they were found with Philippines passports.

Police have said that their true nationalities became obvious when they were unable to converse in any of the native Philippines languages.

The pilgrims then admitted that they had applied as pilgrims under the Philippines quota granted by the government of Saudi Arabia because Indonesia had no more available Hajj slots.

On Tuesday, Yasay said the nationals had fraudulently obtained their passports through a contact from the consular affairs building in Manila, who had subsequently been relieved of his duties.

“There was no person to person contact with the actual applicant for the purpose of our contact officials at the DFA to interview them to really determine their identity and prove that they are Filipinos,” he said.