The Philippine Embassy has warned all Filipinos in the Kingdom against using fake marriage certificates, which contravene Saudi and Philippine laws.
"Anyone caught using or holding a fake marriage contract or other fake documents can be held liable for violating these laws," the embassy said in a statement.
This comes after many Filipino mothers with undocumented children could not be repatriated under the amnesty program that has now been extended until Nov. 3.
Since the children were undocumented they did not have birth certificates issued by the Philippine embassy.
A birth certificate is necessary for an exit visa to be issued by the Saudi Passport Department. The children could not be registered at the embassy because they were the result of illegal relationships.
This was solved only recently when the Kingdom processed their information. This included the arrangement for DNA testing which ended last Sunday.
"The embassy was able to process more than 450 applicants," Philippine ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago told Arab News.
The DNA testing is the first step, followed by the recording of biometric details and the issue of final exit papers by the passport department.
"The Philippine Embassy does not tolerate the use of fake documents and it will continue to confiscate these and report them to proper authorities," the statement added.
The embassy said it would post fake documents on its website at philembassy-riyadh.org to warn the public and for purposes of transparency
The embassy reminded all Filipinos they should avoid dealing with intermediaries in the Kingdom or the Philippines, who pose as embassy officials and promise to procure the fake documents in exchange for cash.
It said information on genuine documents issued by the embassy and other transactions along with corresponding fees could be found on its website.
All embassy officials and personnel, including their designations, are also listed on the website.
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