NCMF probes unabated issuance of fake hajj IDs

COTABATO CITY — The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) is investigating an alleged conspiracy in the issuance of fake hajj identification cards to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) so that they can join the pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Dr. Dimapuno Alonto DatuRamos, Jr., agency spokesperson, said NCMF Sec. Saidamen Pangarungan ordered the investigation last Wednesday after he learned of the illegal practice when some regular or duly registered pilgrims were apparently eased out of their accommodations in Mina by 300 to 400 OFWs allegedly “illegally smuggled inside.”

In an online statement, Pangarungan said he discovered the modus operandi when about 30 of the so-called “smuggled” hajj goers approached him for picture-taking while he was about to perform Tawaful Ifada (final hajj ritual) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Mecca) Tuesday night.

“They confirmed to me that they joined the Hajj in ArafaMuzdalifah-Mina with the regular pilgrims in their buses and tents. They admitted that they number some 300 to 400 OFWs who managed to sneak in for a fee of 2,000 to 2,500 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to some 38,000 pesos),” he said.

He said “this practice has been going on” for years due to alleged “connivance” among OFWs and some accredited hajj sheikhs with unidentified NCMF officials.

Datu Ramos said Pangarungan ordered him and two other key NCMF officials to lead the probe, and submit a comprehensive finding within 30 days as basis for punitive sanction.