Transport officials told domestic and international airlines to ensure their staff do not misuse their authority when checking the validity of passenger passports.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), issued the directive after a social media post went viral about a passenger whose relative was denied boarding due to a tear on his passport.
While airlines are required to perform these checks, the DOTr said this authority should be exercised responsibly.
Airlines should coordinate with immigration authorities in the destination country to verify if they will accept a passport deemed tampered or damaged, in line with established protocols, the DOTr said.
The DOTr said it is investigating the incident and contacted immigration in Bali, Indonesia to confirm if they assessed that the passenger’s passport would be rejected, which the airline cited as the reason for denying boarding.
Meanwhile, the CAAP and CAB were also instructed to investigate other allegations of deliberate passport tampering at some airports. The DOTr assured the public that such schemes would not be tolerated if proven.
The DOTr advised the public to ensure their passports are in good condition. It recommended that passengers with doubts, especially regarding minor tears, consult passport centers of the Department of Foreign Affairs or airport authorities.
