Defying logic
Some things are just plain hard to understand or comprehend. Explanations that defy logic, common sense and accepted norms and morals. In an interview with Usec. Roland Recomeno in Bandila, he was asked why two and a half kilograms of cocaine were not detected by the infallible airport screeners. The four Filipinos who carried the illegal drugs were caught in Hong Kong. Obviously, they passed the airport screeners here in NAIA but breezed right through.
Usec. Recomeno said that one of the reasons the drugs got through is that illegal drugs are not prohibited on an airplane. The newscasters were actually aghast at the statement. He added that only objects deemed dangerous to the aircraft are the ones they look out for, such as bullets and explosives. This is their supposed mandate. He even cites the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that prohibited drugs are not prohibited on an airplane. Since cocaine is an organic substance, they do not raise red flags for the airport scanners. He further adds that the x-ray machines are not suited to look out for illegal drugs.
So let's break it down further. Obviously they are so adept at finding bullets. But when it comes to organic substances, they let it pass? So if someone was carrying Sarin gas on board, it being an organic substance and technically not dangerous to the aircraft, it is simply allowed on the plane? If someone was carrying virulent strains of Ebola, HIV, MERS-COV, SARS, Smallpox, these being organic substances, he would pass without a hitch?
So the utmost importance is the safety of the aircraft, never mind the safety of the passengers? Illegal drugs destroy lives, while the other organic substances may cause widespread epidemics and death. But that's okay on a plane. An airplane is immune to Sarin gas and the deadly viruses.
A check with the website of the OTS states that the x-ray machines currently installed at the NAIA are capable of "detecting metal, explosives, drugs and other organic substances". Can the good Usec. now explain his statements about organic substances not being detected or allowed to pass through without further inspection? It would also be nice if the ICAO could also issue their stand on illegal drugs being allowed on aircraft as they pose no danger to it. This must be clarified as soon as possible. It would seem that tacit approval has been given to anyone wanting to carry illegal drugs, or other organic substances on a commercial airline. Illegal drugs are prohibited all over the country, but apparently not on an airplane. But a single bullet without a gun, hey, you're busted.
Like I said, some things are just so damned hard to understand.
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