Man repatriated for transferring passport as loan security

A man’s surrendering of his passport as security for a cash loan has led to him being repatriated this morning.

48-year-old Eduardo Aquino Dumalag, from the Philippines was accused of transferring his passport to another person.

Inspector Darren Buhagiar told Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras that the accused went to Identity Malta offices to apply for a residence permit and upon verification of his status, the officials informed the police that he had overstayed his visa.

Further investigations discovered that he had given his passport to someone else.

Dumalag explained to police that he had borrowed a sum of money, around €2,000, and was asked to transfer his passport to the lender as a guarantee.

The money lender will also be charged at a later date by writ of summons.

Defence lawyer Simon Micallef Stafrace told the court that after discussing the options with the accused, he would be filing a guilty plea.

A dejected-looking Dumalag, a resident of Paola, admitted to having transferred his passport to third parties.

Prosecution did not insist on prison term because the accused was due to be returned to his country of origin on the first available flight, after the conclusion of proceedings.

The court took into account the accused’s cooperation with the police, the nature of the offence and the fact that the accused agreed to be repatriated in handing down its sentence.

The man was handed a five-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He will be held in detention until travel arrangements are finalised.