RIYADH, 20 September 2004 — The Philippine Embassy yesterday reminded Filipinos in the Kingdom not to use any questionable documents, especially marriage certificates, so as not to run afoul with the laws of the host government.
In a press statement, the embassy issued the warning as it reported that an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) had been arrested by local authorities last week for allegedly possessing a “fake” marriage certificate.
While the worker, who was detained at Dira Police Station, was released later on the guarantee of his employer, the continued use of fake public documents is alarming, the embassy said.
According to the statement, the embassy has requested the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SMFA) for assistance in obtaining the allegedly fake marriage document that led to the arrest of the OFW, whose name had been withheld.
It is not known how many Filipinos in the Kingdom have gotten into trouble for possessing fake marriage certificates but it is a common secret that many are using spurious documents to cover up their illicit relationships.
The embassy said it is “seriously alarmed with the issuance of fake public documents and considers the possibility that (the worker) may only be a victim of fixers and syndicates in Manila.”
It said the worker claimed that he received his marriage contract from Manila complete with authentication from the concerned Philippine authorities as well as the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.