What was meant to be a memorable family vacation quickly turned into heartbreak after a Filipino senior citizen was barred from boarding a flight to Bali due to a small tear on his passport, sparking viral discussions on the so-called “Punit Passport” scheme.
The incident, involving local carrier Cebu Pacific, drew public attention after travelers alleged that minor passport damages were only flagged right before boarding. In this case, ground staff photographed the damaged passport and sought clearance from Bali immigration, who ultimately denied entry, forcing the family to cancel their trip.
In a statement, Cebu Pacific clarified that foreign immigration authorities can reject passengers even for minor passport damage, such as tears, scratches, wet pages, or unauthorized markings. “Even a minor tear or any unauthorised marking may be considered a damaged passport…which can lead to denied boarding or entry to the intended international destination,” the airline said.
Speaking to Teleradyo Serbisyo, Cebu Pacific spokesperson Carmina Romero emphasized that the airline has no intention to ruin passengers’ vacations. “It is our joy to fly passengers to where they want to go,” she said, adding that they are required to consult destination authorities if passport issues are detected, as airlines could face penalties for flying travelers who fail immigration requirements.
Romero said their team had attempted to reach out to the affected family but had not yet connected with them. It remains unclear how or when the passport damage occurred.