07/04/2025
Got the worst airport experience in the most “confidential” airport in the world—Ninoy Aquino International Airport, today, April 6, 2025!
We checked in around 1:30 PM and proceeded to the domestic flight entrance. As part of the standard safety procedure, all hand-carry baggage and passengers go through X-ray scanning. My hand-carry included a tumbler, a bag, and a tote bag with fruits from La Union.
Before scanning, I was advised to pour out the water from my tumbler. I followed and made sure it was emptied. Then I placed my things on the X-ray conveyor and walked through the scanner myself.
Then came the traumatic part.
I was asked if the three items were mine and was told I had to go through “RANDOM CHECKING.”
Confused, I asked, “Para saan po?” The staff replied, “RANDOM CHECKING LANG PO. Ako po ‘yung dadala ng gamit niyo papunta doon.”
With everything I’ve heard and read about airport incidents, I calmly insisted, “Ako na lang po ang magdala.” But she was firm, “Hindi po pwede.”
I saw police officers in the direction she was pointing, and honestly, I thought—if I keep insisting, ako pa ang lalabas na mali. So I ended up following her to what they called the “examiner’s area.”
Still unsettled, I kept asking, “Para saan po ba ito?” but the only answer I kept getting was, “RANDOM CHECKING LANG PO.”
I asked Manong Carlo to take a photo and video of me, but he was stopped. Thankfully, he managed to capture these photos. The staff approached again, this time holding a small white paper, and asked me to show my palm. I asked again, “Para saan po ito?” but again—no clear answer.
She wiped the paper on my palm, my clothes, my shoes, and my bags, then placed it into a machine that looked like a microscope.
At that moment, with a nervous voice and heart pounding, I looked back and said, “Ma’am Lyn…”—seeking help, comfort, or at least someone familiar to assure me that I was okay.
Still overwhelmed and anxious, I looked around for any information board or signage explaining the process. But there was none. No explanation. No transparency.
After a while, she said, “Okay na ma’am. Patingin po ng boarding pass.” I got my phone and showed her my e-ticket. I asked once more, “Para saan po ba talaga ito?”—but again, “Random checking lang po,” was the only answer I got.
I told her, “You caused me so much nervousness.” Then we walked away— I was shaken and anxious.
I don’t know… but my mind was already racing: What if they accused me of something? What if I got framed like those “tanim bala” cases? What if something was planted in my bags? Where would I go? Who would I call? What would happen to me?
All those thoughts haunted me. Grabe ang kulba. Even while on the plane, I couldn’t relax. I kept praying that I could just arrive home safely to my family.
If there’s another airport option going to and from Manila next time, I will never choose NAIA again. That experience gave me real trauma. Lain-lain ya! 😩😭😡🤬
***
Posting this to raise awareness about what’s really happening. Yes, it may be called a "RANDOM" check—but even if it is, every individual has the right to be properly informed.
They should have clearly explained: What they were testing for; That it was part of standard security procedures, and; That I wasn’t being singled out.
No explanation, no briefing, and being forced to surrender your belongings without transparency? That’s what makes the experience feel unsafe—even if the procedure is supposedly legitimate.
Kung may nerbyos ka ya, ambot lang anu madangtan.
