Machine-readable passport to play role in law enforcement

The new Philippine machine-readable passport will likely play a significant role in law enforcement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday night. A statement on the DFA Web site (www.dfa.gov.ph) said the department received an award from the National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (Nalecc) for its new passport program. “In the citation signed by PNP Chief Avelino Razon as Chairman of Nalecc and Finance Undersecretary Gaudencio Mendoza, Chairman of the Committee on Awards, the Office of Consular Affairs was cited for its implementation of the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) which will effectively address illegal activities and prevent the proliferation of fake and tampered passports, assumed identity and identity theft, due to its added security and technological features," it said. The machine-readable passport was implemented starting September 2007 for applicants to the DFA main office in Pasay City. All 11 regional consular offices of the DFA followed suit in mid-November. “The MRP has greatly benefited Filipino travelers since the passport can now be swiped at border controls, to show the holders personal data. This has facilitated greater mobility and convenience to Filipino travelers," the DFA said. - GMANews.TV