MANILA >> Immigration officers at the Philippines’ main international airport were prohibited Tuesday from wishing passengers a Merry Christmas.

The directive was issued to avoid the impression that the officers were soliciting Christmas gifts and tips from passengers, said Ronaldo Ledesma, officer in charge at the Bureau of Immigration.

Ledesma said immigration officers at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport should instead smile to greet passengers.

“While it is mandatory for all immigration officers in our airports to always smile while on duty, they are forbidden from greeting passengers Merry Christmas,” he said.

“Such gesture, even if sincere, might be misconstrued as asking for a tip so it’s better that they refrain from extending the greeting,” he added.

Earlier, the Bureau of Customs issued a similar ban and instead decided to just place “Merry Christmas” streamers at the arrival and departure areas of the airport’s three terminals.