MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) police to set aside their turf war on the jurisdiction of the country’s primary gateway.
“Sabi ng airport police na under sa Naia, sila daw ang airport police. Sabi naman ng PNP, sila talaga ang aviation police,” dela Rosa noted during the Senate Committee on Public Order’s hearing on the Private Security Industry Act.
(The airport police under Naia said that they are the airport police. The PNP said, meanwhile, that they are the aviation police.)
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City (INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES)
“Dapat ‘yung mga turf turf war na ‘yan, ‘yung ganyang mga kung sinong mas may karapatan diyan, dapat isantabi nila for the sake of security ng ating facility na ‘yan. Dapat mag-usap-usap sila para maayos ‘yan,” he added.
(This turf war should be set aside for the sake of the security of the facility. They should talk it over to resolve it.)
Dela Rosa’s statement came after Senator Imee Marcos raised her concern on Naia’s security.
“Today, we are most concerned about the citing of the International Civil Aviation Organization about the Naia airport and other airports’ failure to maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization,” Marcos shared.
“Medyo kabado tayo diyan. At saka mayroon pang sinasabing turf confusion… sino nga ba ang talagang mamumuno diyan?,” she added.
(We are quite nervous about that. And there is a so-called turf confusion… who has the authority there?)
Marcos further said that the Naia and PNP police should talk about the matter to improve the country’s airport security.
Sen. Imee Marcos, in a hybrid hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Tuesday, September 21, 2021, expresses concerns over the country’s airports and coastline security. Marcos noted that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had flagged the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other airports in the country for its failure to maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the ICAO standard. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)
“Kinakailangan siguro once and for all, kunin na natin ‘tong pagkakataon na ito upang maisayos ‘yung management niyan. Higit sa lahat nadadamay tayo. Napapahiya pa tayo sa foreigners kasi sinisita tayo na sub-standard ‘yung security ng ating primary airport,” Marcos expressed.
(Maybe once and for all, we need to take this chance to address management issues. The country is affected by the security issue. We are humiliated because they say our primary airport’s security is sub-standard.)