PHILIPPINES: Why Gov't Changed List Of Banned Items On Planes

Government recently released a new list of items that are prohibited in flights flying out of the Philippines to keep up with international standards.

Jojo Maliwat, spokesperson of the Office of Transport Security, said the revised list is an updated version of the prohibited list issued in 2007.

For the new list, prohibited items are classified into seven categories, compared to the previous list of eight.

Maliwat clarified that the number of banned items is unchanged, but two categories in the old list were combined into one in the new list.

“Dahil tayo ay sumusunod sa International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ‘yung mga categories na inilabas namin ngayong taon na ito ay base na doon sa mga categories na sinusunod na lahat ng bansa, ito ay ‘yung ICAO category list,” he told dzMM on Thursday.

Maliwat noted that lighters—both disposable and torch—are now banned in both carry-on and check-in baggage to establish a standardized security screening operations at all airports in the country.

He said that previously, some regional airports allowed passengers to bring lighters in the waiting lounge and cabin while other airports prohibited it.

“Para ma-address namin ‘yung mga kalituhan na nangyayari sa ibang paliparan,” he said.

Maliwat also said the primary objective of the revised prohibited items list is to counter threats to flights using concealed weapons.

“Ang ina-address kasi natin dito ay ‘yung introduction ng mga weapons and hazardous devices papunta sa airport, dahil ginagamit ito ng mga would-be terrorists para makapinsala ng ibang pasahero. ‘Yun lang ang generally-speaking kung bakit may mga ganitong prohibited tayo na ina-allow natin sa check-in, pero hindi pwede sa hand-carry, at may mga items tayo na talagang hindi siya pwede dalhin,” he said.

Aside from guns and explosives, other items banned in the aircraft include matches, disguised lighters, lighter fluids, and several sharp objects like knives, letter openers, nail files, nail cutters, razor blades, scissors, and disguised objects with sharp edges.

Blunt objects like umbrellas and large tripods are prohibited in the cabin but can be checked in.