Is ‘Punit Passport’ the New ‘Tanim Bala’?

Is ‘Punit Passport’ the New ‘Tanim Bala’?

By Bing Jabadan

April 27, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Travelers are now facing a disturbing evolution of extortion at the country’s airports, or are these isolated incidents amplified by social media?

Just as the country was about to shed the shadow of the notorious “tanim bala” (bullet planting) scandal, a new and equally disturbing allegation has surfaced: the “punit passport” (torn passport) tactic.

The “tanim bala” crisis, peaking in 2015, severely damaged the nation’s tourism sector and international reputation, with airport security personnel accused of planting bullets in luggage to extort money from unsuspecting travelers.

While the government promised reforms, the lingering perception of corruption continues to haunt the country’s image.

Now, social media is ablaze with reports of airline ground staff, particularly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, allegedly damaging travelers’ passports to prevent them from boarding their flights.

These accounts raise serious concerns about potential extortion schemes targeting vulnerable passengers.

One such account, shared by Diana Natividad on Facebook, paints a harrowing picture of a family trip turned sour.

Natividad detailed her family’s ordeal with Cebu Pacific flight 5J279 to Bali, Indonesia, on April 15, 2025, alleging that airline staff used a minuscule tear in her 78-year-old father’s passport as a pretext to deny him boarding.

“It felt like emotional manipulation,” Natividad wrote, describing the staff’s insistence that issuing a boarding pass with the alleged tear would cost them their jobs.

Despite immigration officials later confirming the tear was simply “normal wear and tear” and that the passport was valid, the boarding staff still refused to allow her father on the flight, leaving him stranded and heartbroken.

Natividad’s post, which has gone viral with over 69,000 reactions, 9,700 comments, and 33,100 shares, raises troubling questions about the airline’s procedures and the potential for abuse.

“What if that tear wasn’t even there to begin with?” Natividad pondered, suggesting the possibility of deliberate sabotage.

While Cebu Pacific has yet to issue an official statement on Natividad’s allegations, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has weighed in on the matter.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval clarified that “normal wear and tear” on passports is generally not cause for concern at immigration.

“As long as it’s readable and shows normal wear and tear, there’s no problem,” Sandoval said.

However, she emphasized at a recent press briefing that the BI is committed to combating corruption, saying they are taking the “punit passport” allegations “very seriously.”

“We have implemented stricter oversight and enhanced surveillance to combat extortion and corruption. We encourage anyone who encounters such incidents to report them immediately.”

Despite the BI’s assurances, the growing number of reported incidents suggests a potential problem that demands immediate attention.

While the “punit passport” scheme may not be as widespread as the “tanim bala” scandal, the potential for exploitation and the damage it could inflict on the Philippines’ reputation are undeniable.

The central question remains: is it a coordinated scheme or a series of unfortunate coincidences? The answer likely lies somewhere in between.

But the mere perception of corruption, power tripping by airline staff, and exploitation can undermine the country’s efforts to attract tourists and investors.

Addressing the “punit passport” allegations with transparency and decisive action is crucial in safeguarding the country’s image as a welcoming and trustworthy destination.

Various groups urged the government to conduct thorough investigations, implement stricter oversight of airport personnel, and ensure that travelers are protected from potential extortion tactics, as the future of Philippine tourism may depend on it.

(A screengrab from Diana Natividad’s Facebook shows a torn Philippine passport belonging to her elderly father, which resulted in him being barred from a Cebu Pacific flight to Bali, Indonesia, at NAIA Terminal 3 on April 15, 2023.)