Photography

Photography & Philippine Civil Aviation Law

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief March 19, 2007 · 1 min read

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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 “Photographersâ€™ rights in the Philippines” and how such restrictions usually takes the thrill out of tourists.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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38 Comments

Babyjong · 14 years ago

Parang gigil yata magalit/magsungit ang mga tao. Relax-relax lang =) Eto ang hinahanap ninyo.

See Section 4.7 of this link:

http://www.caap.gov.ph/E-CAAP%20Aviation%20Advisory%20Circulars/AC%2008-022%20Pax%20Briefing%20Cards_CAAP%20%5BA%5D2011.pdf

And also Part 8.5.1.26 of this link:

http://www.caap.gov.ph/Downloads/PCAR%20as%20of%20June%202011.pdf

blujanus · 15 years ago

kalokohan……ewan….wala nlng sila maisip…

Hanariah · 15 years ago

This is ridiculous! I take selfies (photos of myself) all the time on aeroplanes and not one person has said a thing to me! Thats so totally weird aye

Lance · 17 years ago

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.

techdumb888 · 18 years ago

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

yvic · 18 years ago

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.

Ian · 19 years ago

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

eric aka senor enrique · 19 years ago

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 :(

Peejay · 19 years ago

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.

Rico · 19 years ago

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

KK · 19 years ago

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.

MiGs · 19 years ago

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

Jim · 19 years ago

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???

G · 19 years ago

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

koolitz · 19 years ago

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

leo · 19 years ago

didn’t they heard about google earth or wikimapia?

DyPao · 19 years ago

Oh COME ON………

Elber · 19 years ago

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?