Ex-Wescom chief is new transport security administrator

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario (Photo from the Facebook account of Wescom)

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, who served as commander of the Western and Central Commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is now the administrator of the Office of Transport Security (OTS).

President Rodrigo Duterte officially signed Del Rosario’s appointment papers last Aug. 28, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday.

Before his appointment as OTS chief, Del Rosario was the vice president for airport operations of the Clark International Airport Corporation.

He was also the DOTr – Transportation Security Administration focal person who provided support to the security operations of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“In dispensing transportation service to our passengers, safety and security should be an overriding concern. The public avails of our services in the hope that it will bring them to their destinations safely. We must not fail in this regard,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said he was confident that the new OTS administrator would elevate the country’s transportation security measures “to be on par with international standards.”

“Ensuring the safety and security of all passengers is a huge responsibility, and I believe that we have the right man for the job,” Tugade said.

/atm