THE National Bureau of Investigation-South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-Semro) has revealed that they have filed over 60 cases with the Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao in relation to fake birth certificates issued in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
NBI-Semro Director Atty. Archie Albao disclosed this during a press conference on March 19, 2025, at the agency’s office in Bajada, Davao City.
According to Albao, the number of recorded fake birth certificate cases rose from 200 in 2018 to 500 in 2021. From 2016 to the present, a total of 1,576 cases have been documented in Sta. Cruz.
So far, 66 cases have been formally filed with the Ombudsman in Davao. The individuals facing criminal charges include local government employees from Sta. Cruz and Chinese nationals.
The NBI-Davao has filed four types of charges against those involved: Violation of the Civil Registry Law (Act No. 3753), Falsification of Public Documents (Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code), Violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), and Perjury.
Albao confirmed that their investigation is ongoing, with several pieces of evidence already gathered.
“Meron na kaming ongoing investigation and in fact, we have gathered some evidence documents,” he stated.
Aside from Sta. Cruz, the NBI-Semro is also investigating similar cases in other local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region.
The probe follows reports from the past few months alleging widespread issuance of fake birth certificates in Sta. Cruz. The NBI-Semro continues to conduct operations to address the issue. (JPC)