Checkpoints that Miss the Point
Checkpoints that Miss the Point In many checkpoints across the country, it has become a familiar sight: commuters are asked to alight from buses or jeepneys, clutching their bags as police officers wave a stick to “inspect” their belongings. The process, though intended for public safety, often ends up more as a ritual than a genuine security measure. The question arises—does this really make us safer, or does it merely inconvenience the very people it aims to protect? For ordinary commuters, this routine feels like an unnecessary burden. Workers and students already endure long hours of travel, only to be delayed further by inspections that are, at best, superficial. A stick pointed at a bag cannot detect a real threat. If security is the goal, then checkpoints must be conducted with proper tools, trained personnel, and consistent standards. What makes the situation even more troubling is the unequal treatment between public and private transport. While commuters are subjected to sear...