Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has been asked to explain to the Department of Transportation (DoTr) the alleged mishandling of a passport at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which caused a passenger to be denied boarding.

In a report, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), a DoTr-attached agency, said the 65-year-old passenger was scheduled to fly to Dubai on Cathay Pacific Flight CX948 on 24 April.

However, the passenger’s passport was allegedly damaged by airline staff during check-in, rendering it invalid for travel.

The passenger claimed that airline personnel did not provide him any explanation or immediate assistance but continued to process other passengers.

The CAB has directed Cathay Pacific to submit a formal explanation of the incident.

After issuing the show cause order, the agency has yet to say if further action will be taken pending the airline’s response.

In a separate statement, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon called on all airlines to ensure that “no intentional tampering of passports occurs at airports,” and urged airport personnel to “exercise their authority responsibly and respectfully when verifying the validity of travel documents.”