MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Thursday “strongly appealed” to passengers to cooperate with the agency as it implements security enhancements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
The statement was issued after the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned in a travel advisory that security measures at the Naia were substandard.
READ: DOTr vows strict Naia security after US travel advisory
READ: US envoy confident DOTr can improve Naia security measures
“(We) strongly appeal to all to cooperate with the security enhancement that we are now undertaking and submit themselves to security inspections when warranted,” Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal said in a press conference on Thursday.
“Standards are there so the global aviation community will have a common reference point, and it is highly important that our aviation security protocols in Naia meet if not exceeded this is our obligation, and shall remain our commitment to the traveling public,” he added.
Monreal added that the security measures inside the airport “are not intended to put burden on the passengers” but rather “to ensure a secured flight for everyone.”
During the press conference, Monreal also assured the traveling public that the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and Miaa will “continue to adhere to internationally accepted security protocols and standards.”
He noted that the concerns raised by the DHS should not be a cause for alarm as the Miaa is continuing to address them.
“All points raised by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) auditors have either been addressed or are in the process of being addressed, there’s no cause for alarm given as we put in place security enhancement following the recommendations of the US TSA,” Monreal said.
“There’s nothing among these recommendations that cannot be addressed, kaya po natin ‘to (we can do this),” he added.
In the DHS advisory, all airlines issuing tickets for travel between the US and Manila were instructed to advise passengers in writing about the inadequate security measures at Naia.
The DHS oversees “aviation and border security” and is tasked with securing the US from any threat. /ee