Ninoy Aquino International Airport shopping for body scanners

“Pardon us, we’re Filipino.”

That phrase implying modesty could well apply to the planned purchase of full-body scanners for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The authorities are eyeing some models that won’t show the human body’s outline.

The scanners, the purchase of which is being worked out, will likely be installed by the end of the year, said Vicente Guerzon Jr., Manila International Airport Authority assistant general manager for security and emergency services.

Guerzon said they were still studying which model to buy.

“There are acceptability standards because of the issue of privacy, as well as health concerns because of the radiation,” he told the Inquirer.

Guerzon said that the Philippines, being a conservative country, some passengers might find their privacy being intruded upon with the extra-sensitive body scanner.

Full-body scanners in use in the United States show the outline of a person’s body through the clothes and Americans have complained about the unwanted intrusion.

MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said each unit would cost from P8 million to P15 million.

“We’re looking at a model that does not show the body’s shape, for those concerned about their privacy. This will be bid out, of course,” he said in a separate interview.

Honrado said the MIAA was consulting with the Transportation Security Administration of the US on the concerns about radiation and other matters related to the scanners.

“This is not small change we’re talking about, this is big money. So we are exercising due diligence in making sure that we get the full worth,” he said.

But Guerzon said passengers would be given a choice—go through the scanner or submit to the old way of screening passengers.

“We will let them choose, if they want to undergo the body scanner or the old way through the metal detector and a full-body pat-down,” he said.