Photo shop owner caught faking Naia passes

A man who runs a photo and printing shop in Pasay City was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling fake access passes to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

Jose Angel Honrado, general manager of Naia state operator Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), identified the suspect as Julian del Rosario, 40, who operates his shop on Sun Valley Drive, just a few blocks from the airport.

A joint team from the airport police and the National Bureau of Investigation cornered Del Rosario after receiving reports that he was selling forged passes for P100 each.

“We will continue to run after enterprising individuals whose only purpose is to challenge our security procedures. This is one serious concern that we are very happy to have addressed with the help of the NBI,” Honrado said in a statement.

Authorities conducted a “test buy” on May 21, with a poseur buyer asking Del Rosario to fake a government ID that he could use in applying for a job at Naia.

Later, the suspect offered to forge a Naia access pass for the customer. He was arrested after producing one and accepting marked money as payment.

Del Rosario was charged with falsification of public documents in the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.

Naia passes are issued monthly to airport employees and other people conducting business at the airport. They are made of paper, laminated and have colored strips that are changed every month.

They also bear Honrado’s signature, serial numbers, as well as the photo, name, company and signature of the persons to whom they are issued.

To renew a pass, the bearer must fill up a form, present an endorsement letter from the employer and a clearance from the NBI, among other requirements.