US-bound passengers still required to remove shoes during final screening

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has maintained that passengers flying to the United States are still required to remove their shoes in all airports nationwide.

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista issued the reminder in light of a statement by the Office for Transportation (OTS) about relaxing security measures.

Bautista asserted however, that passengers bound to the US are still required to pass through special scanners and need to remove their shoes.

“For those going to America, there is a so-called final screening before  your gate and there is another security check,” Bautista said in a radio interview.

The OTS announced  the temporary suspension of the mandatory footwear removal in all airports nationwide pending the review of the policy by the DOTr.

“Beginning October 13, 2023, passengers will only be required to remove their footwear when an alarm is triggered during security screening, during increased security condition level and during random screening,” the OTS said.

“The redundant screening for US bound flights will still be maintained by the airlines,” it added.

On July 10, 2023, the OTS implemented the mandatory footwear removal, regardless of the security condition level, to detect and deter any prohibited items which may be concealed inside the footwear and used to commit acts of unlawful interference.

On August 10, 2023, a bullet and a packet of suspected drugs were intercepted by the OTS at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, during the x-ray inspection of shoes belonging to a Chinese passenger, who was subsequently endorsed to law enforcement officers for appropriate filing of charges.

On the same day, a Surigao-bound passenger was arrested at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport but in a separate incident at Mactan-Cebu International Airport for alleged possession of marijuana concealed in his shoes.