MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday backed calls for the government to file a case against the contractor who allegedly took Filipino passport data from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Vice President said the report that a former passport production contractor "made off with data" of Filipinos is "scary" and the company should be compelled to return these information.

"Nakakagimbal iyon, at saka nakakatakot ... Gustong sabihin, mayroon siyang access sa lahat na datos natin," Robredo said on her weekly radio show.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. earlier said some Filipinos renewing their passports may need to present their birth certificates because the contractor took the data.

Locsin added that the DFA needs to "rebuild" its database for passports issued before 2010 because a "previous outsourced passport maker took all the data when contract terminated."

The National Privacy Commission said it would investigate the DFA revelation, saying it would summon DFA officials and the passport contractor involved.