Duterte orders Tugade to ‘ensure accountability’ in Naia runway mishap

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to “ensure accountability” against those responsible for the ill-fated Xiamen Air Flight MF8667 that forced delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) last week.

The Chinese plane got stuck at Naia on August 17 after it overshot at the runway, which stranded thousands of passengers at the country’s premier gateway.

Authorities have launched an investigation on the accident, but Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had earlier said the government needed more than an apology.

Duterte has not mentioned the plane mishap in his public speeches since the accident happened.

Asked about Duterte’s order to Tugade, Roque said the President wanted “accountability if warranted.”

“[He wants to] ensure accountability if warranted after investigation,” Roque said in a text message on Wednesday.

In a speech in Cebu on Tuesday, Duterte warned Tugade and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal that they would be kicked out from office if the incidents of “tanim-bala” (planted bullet) and luggage theft will happen again. /je