'Is there intel on threats?' Biazon questions return of mandatory shoe removal at NAIA
Muntinlupa Mayor and former congressman Ruffy Biazon questioned the decision of the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) to bring back the policy of mandatory removal of shoes for all departing international passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
The OTS said the policy was revived last July 10.
Muntinlupa Mayor and former congressman Ruffy Biazon (Photo from the Muntinlupa PIO)
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Photo from MIAA's Facebook page)
“What’s the compelling reason? Is there data on footwear risk? Is there intel on threats?” said Biazon in a post on Twitter. He said the return of the policy came at a time when air travel in the country has experienced problems including overbooking and delayed and canceled flights. “Is there an order from ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization]? At a time when air travel is becoming tedious w/ immigration policy, overbooking, delayed & cancelled flights, we impose this. Was there a time & motion study done?” he said. The mandatory shoe removal at NAIA was eased last November.
(Photos from the OTS' Facebook page)
Public advisory on Facebook by CAAP Area 8 (Screenshot from CAAP Area 8 post on Facebook)
In a public advisory posted on Facebook on July 14, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area 8 said, “The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has updated and revised the standard operating procedure (SOP) on screening of passengers, flight crews, and other airport users. Mandatory removal of footwear shall be implemented at the Final Security Checkpoint in all airports nationwide effective immediately.” This was based on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Work Instruction (WI) dated July 9 approved by OTS Usec. Ma. O Aplasca, CAAP Area 8 added.
Muntinlupa Mayor and former congressman Ruffy Biazon (Photo from the Muntinlupa PIO)
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Photo from MIAA's Facebook page)
“What’s the compelling reason? Is there data on footwear risk? Is there intel on threats?” said Biazon in a post on Twitter. He said the return of the policy came at a time when air travel in the country has experienced problems including overbooking and delayed and canceled flights. “Is there an order from ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization]? At a time when air travel is becoming tedious w/ immigration policy, overbooking, delayed & cancelled flights, we impose this. Was there a time & motion study done?” he said. The mandatory shoe removal at NAIA was eased last November.
(Photos from the OTS' Facebook page)
Public advisory on Facebook by CAAP Area 8 (Screenshot from CAAP Area 8 post on Facebook)
In a public advisory posted on Facebook on July 14, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area 8 said, “The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has updated and revised the standard operating procedure (SOP) on screening of passengers, flight crews, and other airport users. Mandatory removal of footwear shall be implemented at the Final Security Checkpoint in all airports nationwide effective immediately.” This was based on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Work Instruction (WI) dated July 9 approved by OTS Usec. Ma. O Aplasca, CAAP Area 8 added.