X-ray scanners, too, are paranoid over ‘tanim-bala’

Paranoia over the “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) extortion scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) apparently cuts both ways, afflicting both passengers and security officers as well.

While passengers tightly wrap their luggage in plastic and packing tape, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel refuse to have any form of contact with the bags to avoid being accused of planting bullets.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has drafted a measure designed to reduce—if not remove—the anxiety caused by the simple act of running luggage through X-ray scanners at airport security checkpoints.

Easing the jitters

A MIAA official, who sought anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter, told the Inquirer  the daily rotation of OTS personnel at the terminals may soon be put into effect to ease the tanim-bala jitters of both passengers and screeners.

He said the proposal was one of several recommendations made at a MIAA security council meeting on Monday.

“It (daily rotation) had long been planned but it is only now its implementation is being seriously considered. This would be similar to the procedure at the [Bureau of] Immigration where its employees have no idea where they will be assigned for the day,” the source said.

Daily screening

Another proposed measure, he said, is the daily “screening” of security officers before they are posted to any of the Naia terminals and random inspections while they are on duty.

“This is to ensure that unscrupulous security screening officers will have no opportunity to extort. Another problem that was raised during the security council meeting is the paranoia among the screeners,” he said.

The apprehension of OTS screening officers has gotten to the extent of causing disruption and delays because they are compelled to close the terminal gate—triggering long queues at other gates—whenever a suspect item is detected by the X-ray scanner in a passenger’s bag.

“They interpret the no-touch policy too literally,” the source said, pointing out the screening officers can’t even carry the bag from the X-ray conveyor over to the inspection table to allow other passengers’ luggage through.

“They just stop the X-ray scanner and close the gate,” he said.

No clogged gate

A solution the MIAA security council came up with is for the terminal manager, Aviation Security Group personnel, a member of the media and other witnesses to be present when the luggage containing suspected contraband is moved to the inspection table.

“This way the gate will not be clogged and other passengers can pass through,” he said.

According to the MIAA official, the witnesses will stay put until a representative from the Public Attorney’s Office arrives for the opening of the luggage and its inspection.

Early this month, passengers were alarmed over the numerous tanim-bala incidents at the Naia, forcing them to be overly protective of their baggage to the point of wrapping them in plastic and being paranoid around airport workers.

Many of the cases against the passengers were dismissed and some were blamed on wayward screeners who are under investigation.