Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal. FILE PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS
The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Monday said that they could not find any Chinese-looking individual who entered before ACTS-OFW Representative John Bertiz and bypassed security protocol.
Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal said at a press conference they have reviewed more than 20 minutes of CCTV footage prior to the entry of Bertiz through security.
“Wala kaming nakita na Chinese-looking nationals (We didn’t see any Chinese-looking national),” Monreal said.
“As far as I’ve seen the footage, wala po akong nakita na nagpapatunay na may nauna sa kanya (I didn’t see any proof that someone went ahead of him),” Monreal added.
The statement of Monreal was contrary to the claim of Bertiz that there were Chinese-looking individuals who went ahead of him and bypassed security protocols.
On Sunday, a video of Bertiz went viral after various Facebook pages uploaded the said CCTV footage.
Bertiz was seen confronting a screening officer who asked him to remove his shoes as part of airport security measures.
In his defense, Bertiz said that there were two Chinese-looking civilians that were escorted by Ninoy Aquino International Airport employees who were allowed to exit security inspection with their shoes on.
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Monreal nevertheless said that if the solon would be able to provide further evidence regarding the matter, his office will continue to investigate the incident.
“Kung meron hong ibang ebidensya ang ating mahal na congressman, iyan po ay itutuloy namin dahil unang-unang po, kung mayroon man at talaga mayroon ina-assist ang ating mga tauhan dahil ang nakalagay ho doon ay Naia staff, ay hindi po pwede iyan at ‘yan mismo ay aaktuhan namin,” Monreal said.
(If the congressman has any evidence, we will go through with it because first of all, if it’s true that some individuals were assisted by the Naia staff, that’s not allowed and we will act on that.)
Monreal also said that the agency is still investigating how the CCTV footage got leaked to public. /je
READ: MIAA probes leak of Naia CCTV footage