PAL warns vs. buying tickets from scammers: ‘Our staff is trained to spot fake IDs’

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines has warned the public against buying cheap tickets sold by scammers on various social media sites.

According to PAL, scammers buy tickets in bulk and then sell these online at low rates.

Buyers will then be given fake identification cards to avail of the tickets, as they were booked under names of fictitious individuals.

"Since the tickets were bought online in bulk under different [fake] names, passengers who bought cheap round-trip tickets were also supplied with fake IDs by the sellers," said PAL Express head of security Rear Admiral Jorge Amba.

"Our airport front liners are trained to distinguish counterfeit IDs. So if you present a fake ID, you will surely miss your flight and will have tons of problems," he added.

PAL said passengers found using fake IDs can be charged with the violation of Article 178 or using a fictitious name and concealing true name; and Article 172 or the falsification of public documents of the revised penal code.

Those found guilty could face imprisonment from one month or two to six years respectively.

"We are issuing a warning against those individuals who patronize this kind of scam. Our airport front liners are highly trained to identify counterfeits. To avoid hassles and serious legal trouble, we are advising the public to buy their [own] tickets from PAL ticket offices and accredited travel agents only," said PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam.

As of October 5, 2018, PAL said it has recorded a total of 68 apprehensions in different airports in the country, with concentrations in Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Bacolod, and Clark. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News