MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminded the public to refrain from putting “unauthorized stamps” or markings on their Philippine ePassports, as these may compromise the safety features of the travel document.
In an advisory, the DFA also mentioned that since the Philippine ePassport is the property of the Republic of the Philippines, any alteration, addition, or destruction of its contents is strictly prohibited.
“Such unauthorized changes to the ePassport not only renders the travel document invalid, but is also considered as tampering of an official document, which is punishable under the law,” the DFA advisory stated.
The Department also said that the ePassport should be submitted only to authorized officials or authorities for stamping.
In an earlier incident, a Filipina was reported to have had her passport almost cancelled when U.S. Immigration authorities interrogated her, as her passport was considered tampered and cancelled.
According to reports, Kach Umandap from Palawan was stopped and interrogated by immigration officers after they flagged her passport for bearing “souvenir stamps”.
In her social media post, she revealed that the stamps were placed on her passport during her travels to South America and Antarctica in 2014.
In a separate interview, the DFA Passport Division warned the public that putting unauthorized stamps can be considered as “tampering of document”.
Travelers are also reminded to take good care of their passports, avoid getting it wet or crumpled, and refrain from placing marks, as these may compromise the passport’s security features.
Only immigration authorities can put a stamp on the passport as proof of entry to or exit, from a country, the DFA added.
