Duterte says Air Force may takeover Naia if ‘security not improved’

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippine Air Force will take over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) if security issues would not be addressed in the country’s premier gateway.

Duterte said the Philippines would be in trouble if an accident happens there.

“I am issuing a warning that if that Naia is not – the security is not improved there, I will order the Air Force to take over. You must remember I declared a national emergency when I started as President. And I would invoke it,” he said in his speech during the 122nd founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group in Malacañang.

“Napakadisgrasya ‘yan kung may mangyari diyan. Talo tayo lahat diyan. One way would lose lahat ng ano,” he added.

The President did not elaborate on the security issues at Naia.

But the US Department of Homeland Security in December issued a travel advisory saying Naia does maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the security standards by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

The President made a surprise inspection at the Naia Terminal 2 on June 10 and expressed dismay over the flight delays and cancellations due to a lightning alert.

READ: Duterte conducts surprise Naia inspection, apologizes for flight woes

(Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)