Manila: An executive of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said Thursday travelers should stop concealing prohibited items, as these can still be detected during screening procedures in airports. "If they know the item is prohibited in aircraft, they shouldn't wrap the item in an effort to hide it," OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, prohibited items can still be detected using advanced security screening technology and by the highly skilled screening officers. "Passengers could also be held for further questioning by police authorities. They would be asked why they were carrying and concealing those items," Marquez stated.

The issue came to light on Monday when screening officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 discovered a suspected firearm wrapped using packing tape and fabric, concealed inside a rubber tire. The image, resembling a firearm, was seen on the X-ray monitor. The item was turned over to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group for proper disposition, while the passenger was offloaded and subjected to further questioning.

Marquez also mentioned that there have been instances in the past when screeners intercepted prohibited items uniquely hidden, among them ammunition sealed inside a canned good and a nipper hidden inside a fruit.