Body Scanners at International Airports… A Social Democrat Story…

Disclaimer: The following contents does not provide legal advices or others of such sort. The contents of this blog remains and will only be a compliance for an academic purpose. Other matters here may or may not be reliable information. the writer of this blog is a law student, no legal advices nor legal interpretation are intended. The contents of this blog is in no connection in any legal matters nor legal proceedings. THIS BLOG SERVES ONLY AS AN ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT. Thank you

In the modernization of man and its laws, terrorism still lingers from beneath, urging to come out. As man starts to develop, Technologies that might be used to destroy the very core of its foundation, The Government, also develops. And in the process, what methods of prevention are undertaken by our government to ensure the safety of both the Institutions and the people? One of its remedy is the installation of body scanners in International Airports.

In the 1987 Philippine Constitution Article 2 Section 2, a clause stating that “adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations”, already gives us the idea that in order to secure peace an installation of Body Scanners in Airports is one of the many ways how to prevent terrorism spread worldwide, not only here in the Philippines.  Also in the same article of the constitution, Section 4, states that “The Prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people”, again here is another clause which gives the Government the power to do so, the installation of such scanners.

Is there a possible advantage and disadvantage to the said system of Government if these scanners were to be installed? Yes, probably, there is both the advantage and disadvantage on the said system we are in. The possible advantage is that terrorism itself may be lessen and / or prevented in that sense, since this precautionary resolution is most likely to be effective, as those who have tested it would say. A Social Democrat, such as myself, would look at this as one of the preservation of the Government of its power and dominance, but in a manner where they adhere to the morals of the people such as the right to expression, in an orderly manner, and also the freedom to life. With the said morals, the Government then tries to be more of a help to its people rather than the one starting all their sufferings. If all are to express themselves without due respect to their limits and to others, what will be then the outcome of the society, the institution we are in? Chaos is the more probable effect.

The disadvantage is, most likely, that the right to privacy of a person is being bypassed. Even with just this right being bypassed, the people will definitely will not cooperate with the flow of the system of the Government. Since this is one of those rights that the people won’t allow to be violated by the authority, Security then within the nation or the country is bound to be in chaos. They might have dominated the prevention of terrorism from outside of the country but coming from within the State is another question. There now shows the disadvantage on the part of the system when Body Scanners are to be installed within Airport facilities to ensure the wall in order to protect the people within its jurisdiction.

There lies the question to be answered, should we or should we not favor the installation of the said Body Scanners within International Airport? My point of view is, in order for us to really dominate our own country and serve its purpose to protect the very foundation and all its members, we should let the Government do their part and let us do ours. Neither job is easy but if its for the protection of the people and the Government, why not? Since this is only a precautionary measure to help ensure our safety, why not adhere to it, make it one of our defense mechanisms, and prevent the further promotion and growth of  Terrorism worldwide. Why not?