Drilon’s treatment at SF airport ‘normal’ - US official

A United States Embassy official apologized yesterday for the "inconvenience" reportedly caused by security personnel at the San Francisco airport on Senate President Franklin Drilon, but explained that it was a "normal procedure" applied on all departing passengers.

"I’m sorry the senator was inconvenienced, but security measures are random and anyone who comes to the US could be subject to them," said US Embassy public affairs chief Ronald Post.

Drilon allegedly tried to throw his weight around at the airport when a security officer of Filipino-American descent asked him to take off his shoes for a routine check.

Drilon initially refused to heed the request, hinting that it would be demeaning for him to take off his shoes in public since he is the third highest government official in the Philippines.

Police officer John Bartel told The STAR that Drilon even flaunted his diplomatic passport in an apparent attempt to evade the routine check on his flight back to Manila last Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Grudgingly obliging to the request, Drilon allegely slammed his shoes on a table, saying he would initiate the filing of a diplomatic protest with the US Embassy.

In Manila, Drilon confirmed the incident, but added that he would not want to make an issue out of it.

Drilon went to the US to deliver a speech before the Filipino community in San Jose, California.

Security measures in the US were strengthened further following the discovery of a bomb in the shoes of a passenger aboard a Paris-Boston flight some months ago.

Post did not say whether they will make a formal apology to Drilon over the incident.

He asserted, however, that even diplomats were not exempted from the same random inspection.

"Even American diplomats are subjected to it. We all have, and I think anyone who’s traveled widely since Sept. 11 has been subjected to it. It’s unfortunate but necessary, but the randomness is what makes it work," Post said.

"Personally, both my wife and I had to take our shoes off as well. It’s awkward, but it’s for the security of the passengers and the plane," he added.

Post said airport security personnel were required to be courteous, but they could not do away with the standard operating procedure.

"They are supposed to be polite and understanding."

DFA Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin also said there was nothing unusual about the incident because it was for the safety of everybody.

"I don’t think there is an intention to annoy him (Drilon) because even ambassadors undergo the same routine and also diplomats from other countries. That’s based on my own experience. They don’t single out Filipinos," Ebdalin said.

He noted that security was "really tight in the US especially after the Sept. 11 attacks," he added.

He also said the DFA may look deeper into the incident to determine if there was an attempt to embarrass Drilon.

"We have to get the other side also. We have to ascertain the facts. We will ask the US Embassy to explain to us what really happened, whether the senator was ill-treated or embarrassed."

Another DFA official who asked not to be identified held it unlikely that a protest would be lodged over the incident. He said the US ambassador would not be summoned in case of inquiries.