DFA warns vs. unauthorized stamps, markings on PH passports

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday warned the public against putting unauthorized stamps or markings on their government-issued passports.

In a statement, the department warned such actions can cause their passport to become invalid and is punishable by law.

“[It] is also considered as tampering of an official document, which is punishable under the law… The ePassport should be submitted only to authorized officials or authorities for stamping,” the DFA said.

It also reminded the public that Philippine passports were considered as the property of the country, and it was prohibited to alter, add to, or destroy its contents.

In an earlier incident, a Filipina digital nomad almost had her passport cancelled for bearing souvenir stamps.

Kach Umandap from Palawan noted that she had gathered souvenir stamps on her passport in several destinations before she was stopped by U.S. Immigration authorities who interrogated for over three hours as her passport was already considered tampered and cancelled. —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News