The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs has responded to the controversy involving Samantha Ashley Lo, 26, of Cebu. The representative of the Philippines to Miss Grand International 2019 was not able to make it to the competition in Caracas, Venezuela allegedly because she was carrying a fake passport.

On October 18, 2019, the DFA told ABS-CBN News that the department has received the reports about Lo not being able to continue her trip to Caracas due to alleged issues with her passport. The department said, “Based on an ongoing investigation, the DFA confirms that Ms. Lo has no record in the DFA passport database and is continuing the process of ascertaining the facts of the case.”

On October 15, 2019, the Miss Grand International 2019 welcome ceremony and press conference took place at TELEVEN TV Station in Caracas. Lo was not among the candidates presented to the media that day, which worries beauty pageant fans from the Philippines.

On October 17, 2019, the Best in Swimsuit competition of Miss Grand International 2019 took place at the Tamanaco Intercontinental Hotel in Caracas and Lo was still a no-show. Her whereabouts has yet to be confirmed.

But according to rumors, Lo is currently in the Philippines. To get to Venezuela from the Philippines, Lo traveled to Paris, France where she was supposed to have a connecting flight.

Lo reportedly had a problem with her passport so she was held at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for 13 hours and was deported back to the Philippines. Sources told Manila Bulletin that French authorities found out that she carrying a fake passport, which was issued to a man.

“When Lo came back to Manila, she appeared shocked,” sources told the publication. “She only talked to her parents.”

On October 2, 2019, a send-off press conference was held at the Versailles Tent of Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, Metro Manila for Lo and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2019 Leren Mae Bautista. The latter will represent the Philippines in Miss Globe 2019 on October 21, 2019 in Tirana, Albania.

The Miss Grand International 2019 coronation night will take place at Poliedro de Caracas on October 25, 2019. Meanwhile, here is a clip featuring Lo when she was competing in Binibining Pilipinas 2019: