Stiffer airport security measures in place

CEBU, Philippines - Mactan airport authorities have urged the riding public to avoid bringing bladed weapons and those prohibited by law to avoid inconvenience of their trips.

Shoes will be removed at the X-ray or Security Screening Checkpoint once the alarm triggers when a passenger passes through the metal detector, according to officials.

Officials said some passengers carrying bladed weapons and other prohibited weapons cause delays in trips.

Most of these confiscated items are now in custody of the airport authorities.

An operator of X-ray machine at the departure area at Mactan airport told The Freeman that they have encounter hundreds of passengers everyday who argue with them when advised to remove their shoes.

“Kon ma-trigger gani ang metal detector, amo gyud nga e-advise ang pasahero nga huboon ang sapatos,” said an X-ray operator on duty.

The Freeman personally witnessed an incident at the X-ray machine. When a passenger bound for Cagayan de Oro City passed by the machine, the metal detector triggered.

The passenger refused but yielded in the end as airport security personnel explained to him that it was part of the security procedures.

In addition, passengers are also asked remove buckles and other accessories like cellphones and coins to be placed on a tray and scanned through x-ray machine.

Senior Superintendent Constantino Barrot, chief of 7th Aviation Security Unit based at Mactan Cebu Airport, told The Freeman that to avoid inconvenience, passengers should follow rules and regulations at the airport.

Security conditions are also set by the Office for Transportation Security of the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Under Security Condition One, a manual search on all airport users will be applied randomly which will be done by the detailed screening officer. — Jose P. Sollano (FREEMAN)