The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), has reminded both domestic and international airlines operating in the country to exercise their passport verification responsibilities without overstepping their authority or engaging in abusive practices.
This advisory comes in response to a viral social media post alleging that a passenger was denied boarding due to a minor tear on his passport. The passenger’s relative claimed the incident occurred despite the passport being otherwise valid.
While it is within an airline’s mandate to check the authenticity and physical integrity of a passenger’s passport, the DOTr emphasized that any decision to deny boarding should follow proper coordination with immigration authorities from the passenger’s destination country. This is especially critical when assessing whether a passport with visible damage, such as a tear, is acceptable for entry.
About the viral case, the DOTr is conducting an investigation and has contacted immigration authorities in Bali, Indonesia, to verify if they issued a directive against accepting the passport in question. This inquiry aims to determine whether the denial was indeed justified based on official immigration guidelines.
Additionally, the CAAP and CAB have been tasked to look into other allegations involving possible deliberate tampering of passports at certain airports. The DOTr stressed that any such misconduct, if proven, will be met with strict sanctions.
The DOTr also reminded the public to ensure their passports are in good condition before traveling. In cases of minor damage, such as small tears, passengers are encouraged to seek guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or consult airport authorities for proper assessment.
