Tugade: Access pass holders not exempt from security checks

DOTr Sec Arthur Tugade. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

“Having an access pass gives you the opportunity to enter the area but that does not exempt you from following the protocols there.”

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said this on Wednesday while reacting to the incident where ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto “John” Bertiz refused to undergo a security check at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport because he had an access pass.

The incident was caught on security video, which shows Bertiz shoving an ID to the face of a security checker.

“All of us must follow and respect protocols,” Tugade said in a statement.

Tugade said Bertiz would get fair judgment in the investigation into the incident.

However, the transportation secretary said political will was needed in implementing security policies.

“Dapat yung pagdidisiplina may kasamang political will. Kung pabayaan mo, uulit at uulit ‘yan,” he said.

(Discipline must be coupled with political will. If you let people [set is aside], they will do it again and again.)

“Protocols are set to safeguard security and order in our transportation hubs,” he added.

Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal also said that having an access pass did not mean legislators and government officials could evade airport security procedures.

“Kami ang nag-issue ng ID. Ang ID po ay isang courtesy sa ating mga legislators o government agency officials. It is not a privilege to circumvent the security protocol,” he added. /cbb

READ: Miaa access pass not license to bypass airport protocols — Monreal