The Department of Foreign Affairs officials were linked to the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iraq despite the government’s ban of sending Filipinos in the said country.

Passport not marked with “Not valid for travel to Iraq” were used by OFWs in entering Iraq are sold for P5,000 to P25,000. The price has the possibility to rev up depending on the determination of the applicant to acquire a job. link

According to DFA spokesman Bert Asuque, they cannot rule out the possibility that one or two passports did not get stamped "Not valid for travel to Iraq" because this is done manually.

Asuque blamed human error and gave the assurance the rare slips could not have led to a proliferation of unmarked passports.

He also added that anybody holding a Philippine passport cannot enter Iraq because the Philippines made an agreement with the countries bordering war-torn Middle East country, such as Jordan and Kuwait, to bar Philippine passport holder, even if it is not marked with “Not valid for travel to Iraq, from crossing the country.

He also said that Filipinos who are working in Iraq are not properly documented and nobody can stop one who is determined to enter there.

According to source, it is the new big racket at the DFA and Malacanang should not be surprise if more and more OFWs are turning up in Iraq despite the dangers and the ban.

About 3,000 Filipinos were estimated working in Iraq. Most of them handling supplies, food and laundry in US camps. Some work as drivers while a few hold technical jobs.

The source added that the issuance of unmarked passports is usually facilitated by the manpower company recruiting the workers or even by the foreign employer.

The ban was imposed by President Arroyo to prevent Filipinos from the hostage-taking of Iraqi militants like what had happened with Angelo de la Cruz, a driver who was abducted by Iraqi militants while crossing the Iraqi border.