MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed alarm over the massive disparity between legitimate and fraudulent holders of identification cards meant for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
On Tuesday, October 20, PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed all police units to intensify operations against the proliferation of fake PWD IDs. This directive came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) flagged a glaring gap: while official records show only 2.8 million registered PWDs, roughly 8.5 million individuals are currently utilizing the IDs to access statutory discounts and privileges.
The staggering 5.7 million discrepancy has prompted law enforcement to target syndicates, groups, and individuals orchestrating the manufacture and distribution of these fraudulent cards.
“These fraudulent schemes disrupt legitimate transactions and undermine the public’s trust in government services designated for our persons with disabilities,” Nartatez said.
“We are strengthening our collaboration with concerned agencies to track individuals or groups involved in the proliferation of fake IDs, especially those who manufacture and distribute them,” he added.
Nartatez also issued a stern warning that perpetrators and users caught exploiting fake credentials will face severe legal consequences, including charges of falsification of public documents and estafa depending on the specific violations.
“There are existing laws that will sanction individuals or groups behind this scheme, including those using these fake PWD IDs at the expense of legitimate beneficiaries,” Nartatez stated.