Passenger recounts distressing experience during ‘random checking’ at NAIA

A passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has shared her experience of undergoing what airport personnel described as a “random checking” during her departure for a domestic flight on April 6.

In a social media post on Sunday, Ann Olvido Lucero detailed the sequence of events that unfolded after she and her companions checked in at around 1:30 p.m. She recounted placing her tumbler, a bag, and a tote bag containing fruits from La Union on the conveyor belt for X-ray scanning, as part of the airport’s standard safety procedures.

Before the scan, Lucero said she was advised to empty her tumbler, which she complied with. Moments later, she was informed by a staff member that her belongings were subject to random checking.

“Confused, I asked, ‘Para saan po?’” Lucero wrote in her post. She was told, “Random checking lang po. Ako po ‘yung dadala ng gamit niyo papunta doon.”

Lucero said she offered to carry her belongings herself, but the staff member declined, insisting that it was not allowed. She was then led to an area referred to as the “examiner’s area,” where police officers were also present.

Lucero said she repeatedly asked for an explanation regarding the procedure, but the only response given to her was that it was a random check. When she asked her companion to take photos and videos of the process, he was stopped, although he managed to take some photos before being told to stop recording.

The airport staff then proceeded to wipe a small white paper across her palm, clothes, shoes, and bags before placing it into a device described by Lucero as resembling a microscope.

Throughout the process, Lucero continued to seek clarification, but said no clear explanation was given. After the inspection, she was asked to show her boarding pass and was informed that the process was complete.

Lucero expressed concern over the incident, stating that the lack of explanation and transparency left her anxious about her safety and the possibility of being implicated in illegal activities. She referenced past incidents at the airport, including the “tanim-bala” scheme, which had raised public concern over airport security practices.

In her post, Lucero called for airport authorities to provide clear information to passengers undergoing such procedures. She emphasized that travelers should be informed of what is being tested, assured that it is part of standard security protocols, and made to feel that they are not being singled out.

As of this writing, NAIA management has not issued a statement regarding Lucero’s account.