DFA-OCA Conducts Fraud Detection Training

From left to right: Passport Division Principal Assistant Atty. Raymond Aljon A. Cusipag, Acting Passport Director Charlie Florian T. Prenicolas, NBI- QDD Supervising Document Examiner Mr. Antonio R. Magbojos, OCA  Assistant Secretary Atty. Ma. Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena, OCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryan Dexter B. Lao, together with the first batch of participants of the training. (DFA-OCA photo)

MANILA 07 May 2025 — In line with the Department’s commitment to protect the integrity of Philippine passports and enhance the delivery of consular services, the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) conducted a  Fraud Detection Training for its personnel on 26 April and 03 May 2025 at the DFA Double Dragon Tower in Pasay City.

The training sessions, held on two successive Saturdays, were formally opened by OCA Assistant Secretary Atty. Ma. Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena and Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryan Dexter B. Lao, respectively. The resource speakers from the National Bureau of Investigation Questioned Documents Division (NBI-QDD), Supervising Document Examiner Antonio R. Magbojos and Senior Document Examiner Elsa L. Reataza-Morales, shared their extensive knowledge and professional expertise with the participants of the training.

The NBI-QDD discussed and conducted practical exercises on Signature Verification and Forgery. This topic aims to equip the personnel with knowledge on the inherent characteristics of signatures and how to determine their genuineness by focusing on form and details. They also provided practical guidance on proper assessment of various government-issued IDs and records that can help strengthen competency in identifying fraud and irregularities in documents, which will  further enhance reliability in consular processes.

Lastly, Passport Division Officers discussed the security features of  the Philippine passport to further familiarize personnel with our own travel document. The presentation highlighted the built-in unique characteristics of the Philippine passport which includes tactile prints, watermarks, and UV fluorescent properties embedded in the pages of the passport booklet. END

Assistant Secretary Atty. Ma.Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena formally opened  the training on 26 April 2025. (DFA-OCA photo)

Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryan Dexter B. Lao delivered the opening remarks for the second session on 03 May 2025. (DFA-OCA photo)

Resource speakers from the NBI-QDD: Mr. Antonio R. Magbojos and Ms. Elsa L. Reataza- Morales. (DFA-OCA photo)

Individual and Group activities conducted during the training sessions. (DFA-OCA photo)