The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered all airlines to ensure their personnel do not deliberately tamper with passengers’ passports.
This directive follows reports of alleged “punit passport” incidents at several airports.
“This ‘punit passport’ scheme, if proven to be true, will not be tolerated.”
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has recently ordered airlines that this scheme, if proven to be true, will not be tolerated.
“Kung may makita man tayong ganung insidente, kung may gumagawa ng ganitong kalokohan, sorry na lang. Sanctions will be imposed on both the airlines and their personnel,” Dizon said.
Meanwhile, Indonesian immigration authorities in Denpasar, Bali confirmed they deemed the passport submitted by Cebu Pacific recently as damaged and would not have accepted it upon the passenger’s arrival.
A Cebu Pacific passenger was denied boarding a flight bound for Bali, after an airline personnel assessed that the passenger’s passport had minor damage. Following protocol, the airline took a photo of the document and consulted Bali immigration to confirm the assessment.
The passenger has already filed a formal complaint with the Civil Aeronautics Board regarding the incident.
“Always check their passport’s validity and condition before travelling.”
The DOTr reiterates its reminder to passengers to always check their passport’s validity and condition before travelling, and to consult with passport centers or airport authorities when in doubt.
