(May 2, 2025) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has barred airport security personnel from physically handling passengers’ passports, following incidents involving damaged travel documents that disrupted flights.
Recently, at least three cases of torn passports at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were reported.
“Ang hahawak lang (ng passports) ay personnel sa check-in counter ng airlines at BI (Bureau of Immigration) personnel to prevent repetition of incident. Paalala rin sa pasahero that you should be responsible,” said DOTr spokesperson Mon Ilagan.
A senior citizen flying to Indonesia was denied boarding because of a torn passport. A similar case involved a 65-year-old, whose torn passport was due to a document scan at NAIA.
Another incident involved a passenger traveling from Butuan to Manila. While further details have yet to be released, Ilagan said the issue had been resolved.
Ilagan said the DOTr already met with airline officials and airport representatives to remind them of potential penalties for such mishaps. He added that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is now reviewing CCTV footage and verifying the circumstances behind each case.
“Nakikipag-meeting ang DOTr para magkaroon ng help desk sa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) para kapag may ganitong insidente ay madaling matulungan ang ating mga kababayan,” added Ilagan.
To avoid future confusion, NAIA on Wednesday issued a standing instruction to its security personnel to not touch passengers’ passports during terminal entry and security checks.
Despite familiar vows of improvement over the years, NAIA has remained hounded by persisting problems, including in security, immigration, and sanitation.
On Thursday, the DOTR and the BI said they are “determined to show that change is happening” at NAIA in line with the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.
(With reports from Maricel Halili, News5)
(PM)
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