SEARCH FOR MORE VICTIMS Civil aviation crash experts comb through the wreckage of a Manila slum on Sunday, December 11, 2011, after a cargo plane crashed into the area killing at least 13 on Saturday. Investigators hunted for more victims as well as clues over the accident. AFP PHOTO/JAY DIRECTO
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is seeking anew the immediate transfer of general aviation operations out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) to prevent an incident similar to Saturday’s plane crash in Parañaque City that left 14 dead and several others injured.
Village officials on Monday identified the fatalities as Klyde Reflordo, 3; James Bryan Rañon, 5, and his mother Margarita Rañon Berdera, 34; Maribel Nolasco; Maricel Rodriguez; Edna Moreno; Janine Moreno; Rowena Moreno; Rowell Moreno; Arnold Moreno; Roldan Sabidoria Sr., and plane passengers Capt. Timoteo Alba, copilot Jessie Kim Lustica and student pilot Julius Dorado, 21.
Thirteen bodies, all burned beyond recognition, were recovered from the crash site but a mutilated hand, belonging to none of the 13 bodies, was also found, raising the death toll to 14.
DNA testing will be done on the charred remains to determine their identities.
The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) likewise reiterated the need to relocate informal settlers living around Naia for their own safety.
CAAP Director General Ramon Gutierrez said general aviation operations, which caters to light aircraft and helicopter services, should be transferred away from Naia for safety reasons as well as to declog runway traffic at the country’s premiere airport.
Nearby Sangley Point in Cavite which has a long runway and is surrounded more by water than houses, unlike Naia, is being eyed.
Gutierrez said travel between Manila and Sangley is now faster with the opening of the Manila Cavite Expressway or Cavitex.
Meanwhile, Joseph Agustin, airport grounds operations and safety division chief, said talks were ongoing between Miaa and the local governments of Pasay and Parañaque on the relocation of informal settlers near the airport.
The Naia’s four terminals—the Manila Domestic Airport and Terminals 1 to 3 are located in the cities of Pasay and Parañaque. The Naia’s runways traverse the cities of Pasay, Parañaque and Taguig.
Agustin said Miaa general manager Jose Honrado had wanted to relocate the informal settlers near the Naia.