Discretion of Airport Authorities on Shoe Screening
- The need for shoe removal for screening is determined by the sound and responsible judgment of the concerned Airport Authority.
- Airport Authorities may adopt a non-removal-of-shoes policy based on risk assessment of airport threats and vulnerabilities to aviation targets.
- If no alarm is triggered by a passenger passing the WTMD with shoes on, mandatory removal of shoes may be waived.
- The non-removal policy is conditioned on the prevailing threat condition at the airport.
Procedures Under Security Condition One (SECCO 1)
- Manual search of all airport users shall be randomly applied to at least one (1) out of every twenty (20) passengers at the Security Screening Checkpoint.
- Manual searches shall be conducted by detailed screening officers of the same gender as the passenger.
- Shoes must be removed for X-ray screening when:
- The WTMD alarm is triggered.
- A passenger is randomly selected (at least one in twenty) for shoe screening.
- Threat levels are elevated requiring stricter security measures.
- WTMD equipment is unavailable or malfunctioning, requiring manual searches.
Enhanced Measures for Security Condition Two (SECCO 2)
- All departing passengers, their cabin baggage, and carried items must be screened at passenger screening checkpoints.
- Mandatory removal of shoes for security screening is imposed on all airport users.
- Redundancy screening may be conducted at each departure gate as deemed necessary by the airline operator.
Strict Screening Under Security Condition Three (SECCO 3)
- Continued screening of all departing passengers, cabin baggage and carried items at security checkpoints.
- Mandatory removal of shoes for security screening for all airport users.
- Additional screening or searching of all passengers, cabin baggage, and carried items at each departure gate by airline operators.
Applicability and Procedural Compliance
- The rules apply to all departing international and domestic passengers as well as passengers transiting through Philippine airports.
- Airport Authorities choosing to implement the non-removal-of-shoes policy must revise their Airport Security Program (ASP) and submit the revision to the issuing Authority for information, reference, and guidance.
Supersession and Effectivity
- All previously issued Orders, Memoranda, Circulars, and related issuances inconsistent with this Circular are repealed or revoked.
- The Circular takes effect fifteen (15) days after filing a copy at the University of the Philippines Law Center as required by the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292).