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Photography & Philippine Civil Aviation Law

We were on board a Cebu Pacific plane back here in Manila this afternoon when during flight, Eyb took pictures of the clouds thru the cabin window. We were then approached by the stewardess saying that the Philippine Civil Aviation Law does not allow taking of pictures of “Philippine lands“, or that’s how I heard/understood it.

Airplane Photo

That’s odd. All these years that I’ve been taking pictures from inside a commercial plane during flight, I’ve never been told that. Maybe, it’s a new thing? Could be connected to the new anti-terror law, perhaps? Funny how new policies always ends up being tagged as a by-product of the anti-terror law.

Reminds me of Elber’s entry about “Photographers’ rights in the Philippines” and how such restrictions usually takes the thrill out of tourists.

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    16 Responses to “Photography & Philippine Civil Aviation Law”


    1. Gravatar Icon nina replied on Mar 19th, 2007 at 5:42 pm (1)

      Say that again?

      That just makes me want to take pictures more, if anything.

    2. Gravatar Icon Elber replied on Mar 19th, 2007 at 6:52 pm (2)

      I wish I were there – I would’ve asked them to produce some literature or a sign that clearly stated that picture taking was not allowed on the plane. Basically, susungitan ko sila.

      What’s the worst they can do to you? Throw you out of the plane?

    3. Gravatar Icon DyPao replied on Mar 19th, 2007 at 7:55 pm (3)

      Oh COME ON………

    4. Gravatar Icon leo replied on Mar 19th, 2007 at 8:19 pm (4)

      didn’t they heard about google earth or wikimapia?

    5. Gravatar Icon koolitz replied on Mar 19th, 2007 at 9:56 pm (5)

      oh man! its getting worst! what’s next? baka naman ang law na yun sa airport lang…nainggit lang sya cguro sa camera na dala ni Eyb :D

    6. Gravatar Icon G replied on Mar 20th, 2007 at 5:49 am (6)

      If that’s true, mauubos oras ng mga stewardess na mag-remind sa mga pasahero na bawal yun

    7. Gravatar Icon Jim replied on Mar 20th, 2007 at 9:27 am (7)

      Actually bawal gumamit ng electronic devices during landing procedures–reason we can only use laptops camera when the fasten seatbelts sign is off. The stewardess might have told you that you are not allowed to take pictures while the plane lands. No such regulation on taking photos of Philippine lands–ano yan India against Google Earth???

    8. Gravatar Icon MiGs replied on Mar 20th, 2007 at 10:13 am (8)

      I was trying to find a copy of the Philippine civil aviation law sa google, Yahoo, msn, including these specific sites:
      > ATO
      > DOTC
      > Civil Aeronautics Board
      > Chanrobles online

      Pero WALA akong makitang copy.

      hmmmm.. kaya ba wala ko makitang copy is becoz of this: “On November 12, 1936, the Philippine Legislative passed Commonwealth Act No. 168, better known as the Civil Aviation Law of the Philippines”

      1936 pa yung law na yun? siguro naman marami ng nagbago since that time.

      And sa PAL may sinasabi silang “company policy” in reference to the Civil aviation law ek ek.

      I emailed ATO and asked for a copy.

      Sana may mahukay sila.. hehehhe

    9. Gravatar Icon KK replied on Mar 20th, 2007 at 10:22 pm (9)

      It’s it a very new law? I was taking video of the Philippine Islands last year and I haven’t been approached by a stewardess. I’d like to see that law in print.

    10. Gravatar Icon Rico replied on Mar 21st, 2007 at 11:38 am (10)

      I only think she approached you because you had a kick-ass camera, not a consumer point-and-shoot. :P

    11. Gravatar Icon Peejay replied on Mar 23rd, 2007 at 11:02 am (11)

      from the looks of the pic, it seems the plane just took off.

      and i second what jim commented. all electronic devices cannot be used before and during take off/landing.

      i’ve taken several cloud shots during my trips but only after the pilot has switched off the fasten seat belt sign and when an attendant announces that it’s now ok to operate your laptop, music player, etc.

      nice shot, very clear.

    12. Gravatar Icon eric aka senor enrique replied on Mar 24th, 2007 at 7:38 am (12)

      Unbelieveable!

      But then again, a couple of fellow photography enthusiasts were stopped by security guards at Baywalk from taking a picture of Manila Bay sunset with their cameras on tripods.

      Here’s my blog entry on it:

      http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/03/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it.html#comments

      This country is really getting very unfriendly to avid photographers :(

    13. Gravatar Icon Ian replied on Apr 7th, 2007 at 7:17 am (13)

      Rubbish. Lets all keep taking photographs. Stop us from flying if we can’t take photographs. Somebody must have something to hide. Keep snapping… :)

    14. Gravatar Icon yvic replied on Jan 25th, 2008 at 10:07 am (14)

      that steward is not familiar with the Phil. Civil Aviation Law. or maybe dont undrstand the content… or maybe just trying to say “ow im a law student before” hahaha ..nonsense.

    15. Gravatar Icon techdumb888 replied on Nov 17th, 2008 at 12:18 am (15)

      yes bawal po gumamit ng electronic devices during take-off and landing… but that was before pa… recent studies show that those electronic devices doesn’t affect the take-off/landing of the aircraft… it may cause some interference, maybe, but it is very minimal “daw” and won’t affect the flight instruments… but there are those “company policies” din regarding that, so no choice kundi sumunod… And to those who are planning to confront the stewardess, ingat lang coz some are ready enough, what i heard e un plagi nilang dalang stroller e mostly documents, manuals, etc regarding flight, few clothes lang dala nila. well, i guess its good to ask them if they have a copy. and tell us if its true.. haha

    16. Gravatar Icon Lance replied on Jul 8th, 2009 at 4:07 pm (16)

      This is nonsense. Why would this be illegal?

      upon a “quick” search that I did, i did not find any law pertaining to such. There is 1 law that states that taking photographs which is connected or vital to national defense is prohibited. Based on the photograph, I don’t see anything “vital” to national defense on the picture.

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