Filipina's PH passport almost canceled due to souvenir stamps

A Filipina digital nomad nearly had her passport canceled after immigration authorities flagged it for bearing souvenir stamps.

According to Kuya Kim Atienza’s report on “24 Oras," Friday, digital nomad Kach Umandap from Palawan has visited 193 countries recognized by the United Nations, as well as two non-member observer states, using her Philippine passport.

Aside from sharing IG-worthy travel photos, Kach also took pride in collecting passport stamps as proof of her journeys. 

However, in a social media post, she revealed that her passport almost got canceled in the past because of several souvenir stamps she had placed on it during her travels to South America and Antarctica in 2014.

“Noong nakapunta ako ng Mitad El Mundo, Shakicant, Ecuador, nag-stamp ako. Noong nagpunta ako ng Lake Titicaca sa Bolivia, nagpa-stamp ako. Saka Chile, 'yung End of the World, stamp lang ako nang stamp,” Kach said.

“Basta sa mga destinations na sikat kasi nakikita ko 'yung mga foreigners, nag-s-stamp sila sa passport nila,’ she added.

But when she arrived in the United States, she was questioned by immigration officers. 

“Sabi nila, your passport is already canceled and considered tampered,” she recalled. 

“It's considered tampering your passport. I didn't know that. I was a new traveler. Na-interrogate ako for three hours. Later on, I was able to get in,” Kach explained.

Due to the incident, Kach shared she now has to write an explanation letter about the mistake she made whenever she applies for a long-term visa. 

“Ngayon, whenever I apply for long-term visa, I always had to write a letter na, you know, during my younger years, I made a mistake and I stamped this. In my blog, I am telling people the lessons that I've learned in my journey to every country,” she said.

A passport stamp is an official mark placed by immigration authorities as proof of entry to or exit from a country. 

In some nations, physical stamps have already been replaced with digital records as part of immigration and security control measures. Thus, forging or altering these, including affixing unofficial passport stamps, such as souvenir stamps, is prohibited.

According to Atty. Raymond Aljon Cusipag, the assistant director of the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Passport Division, the act of putting unauthorized stamps can be considered a tampering of the document.

“The act of putting stamps na unauthorized ng any authority, whether sa Philippines o sa ibang bansa, can be considered a tampering of the document. Not only by the Philippine authorities, but also by foreign authorities,” Cusipag explained.

“Sa mga hindi po nakakaalam na hindi po dapat nilalagyan ng souvenir stamps ang kanilang passports, mas maganda po na mag-renew po sila agad ng kanilang passport dahil maaari pong hindi sila papasukin doon sa bansang kanilang pupuntahan,” he added. 

A warning is also printed on the back of the Philippine passport stating that it must not be altered, marked, or tampered with.

In the report, Kuya Kim also shared tips on how the public can take proper care of their passports. 

Travelers are encouraged to use a passport cover to prevent damage. They are likewise advised to avoid getting their passports wet or crumpled, and to refrain from writing on them or placing any marks, as these may compromise the passport’s security features and lead to travel complications.

Passports must always be kept in a safe and dry place. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News