Screening at U.S. airport angers Drilon

The president of the Philippine Senate yesterday expressed outrage against tight commercial aircraft passenger screening in the United States after authorities at San Francisco international airport forced him to take his shoes off as part of the gateway's security measures against extremists.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a radio report in Manila that he felt humiliated after airport security personnel ignored his protests asking to be spared from the tight screening process since he is a state official of a foreign country.

"I was angry. I had already introduced myself. I showed them my diplomatic passport," stated Drilon, the third highest-ranking government official of the Philippines.

The senator had just delivered a speech before the Filipino community in San Jose and this incident occurred when he boarded a flight to Manila from San Francisco airport.

He arrived at the Philippines early yesterday and narrated his experience to reporters.

In an interview with Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Franklin Ebdalin, he said that tight security procedures, including removing footwear, are being observed in almost all U.S. airports after a bomb was found in the shoe of an aircraft passenger several months ago.
"It is quite a demeaning experience," he revealed.

Drilon said U.S. authorities should have exemptions on the tight security measures especially for government officials.