DOTr to airlines: Ensure no tampering of passports

FILE: Current editions of the Philippine biometric passport. From left to right: diplomatic, official, and regular. (Photo By APO Production Unit Inc./Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered all airlines to ensure their personnel do not deliberately tamper with passenger passports following reports of alleged “punit (rip) passport” incidents.

In a statement on Monday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the order was made to airlines in a meeting last week and warned that if such incidents were proven to be true, sanctions would be imposed on both the airlines and their personnel.

“Kung may makita man tayong ganung insidente, kung may gumagawa ng ganitong kalokohan, sorry na lang (If we confirm such an incident, if somebody actually does this foolishness, be prepared to be sorry),” he said.

Last week, a Cebu Pacific passenger was denied boarding a flight bound for Bali, Indonesia after airline personnel assessed that their passport had minor damage.

As part of protocol, the airline took a photo of the passport and consulted Bali immigration for their assessment. In response, Indonesian immigration authorities in Denpasar, Bali confirmed that the passport was damaged and would not have been accepted upon the passenger’s arrival.

The passenger has since filed a formal complaint with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) regarding the incident.

“The DOTr reiterates its reminder to passengers to always check their passports’ validity and condition before traveling, and to consult with passport centers or airport authorities when in doubt,” Dizon said.