Filipina jailed for using fake social visit pass

KOTA KINABALU: A Filipina was sentenced to 15 months jail by the Sessions Court here yesterday for using a fake social visit pass.

Sessions Court judge Elsie Primus passed the sentence on Vaneza Contado Parane, 28, after the latter pleaded guilty as charged under Section 56 (1)(l) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The indictment provides for a maximum fine of RM10,000 and a jail term of up to five years, upon conviction.

Vaneza was arrested for using the fake pass at a counter of the departure hall of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) here at 4.40 am on November 4.

In mitigation, Vaneza, who was unrepresented, told the court that she had obtained the pass from an agent and was not aware that it was fake. She was therefore remorseful and pleaded for a lenient sentence.

In response, prosecuting officer from the Immigration Department, Juachim Abel Majain, pressed for a deterrent sentence against the accused as a stern lesson to her and other would-be offenders in consideration of the public interest. He also said that the offence is considered serious and could be a threat to the security of the country.

The judge also ordered for Vaneza to be referred to the Immigration Department after serving her sentence and for her biometrics data to be recorded before her deportation.