Bong Go wants increased police visibility, aviation security, enhanced intel in airports
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go during the Senate hearing. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on law enforcement authorities to increase police visibility and aviation security while enhancing intelligence capabilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) following the removal of x-ray machines and scanners at departure entrances to promote more seamless airport process among passengers.
“Suportado ko naman ang desisyon na gawing mas maginhawa ang paglalakbay sa ating bansa, pero mas mabuting may sapat na pag-iingat pa rin,” Go said.
(I support the decision to provide more convenient traveling in our country, but having these kinds of safety measures is better.)
“That is why I am reminding authorities to still implement necessary security protocols in lieu of x-ray scanners in departure areas. Maximize the police by increasing their visibility and enhancing intelligence capabilities to fully protect our citizens while valuing their convenience,” he further stressed.
During a public hearing on Thursday, January 12, on the Naia air traffic system glitch incident conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Services, Go expressed that while convenience is important, removing the scanners should not compromise passengers’ safety, citing past incidents of terrorism that happened.
“I have received reports that x-ray machines and scanners at the airport departure entrances were recently removed to accommodate the concerns of passengers to have faster and more convenient travel. Mas lumuwag po ang ating security para mapabilis ang mga proseso sa loob ng airport,” said Go.
“Kaya lang po, napansin ko, tinanggal po yung first layer. Ang tanong diyan, this is an issue of security and convenience. Do not compromise, do not risk the safety of our passengers. This may be terrorism waiting to happen,” he added.
(But I noticed that the first layer [of security and safety] had been stripped. The question here is about the issue of security and convenience.)
Citing the 2003 Davao City bombing, the senator noted that a more lenient security might expose Naia to such risks.
“Nangyari po yan sa Davao bombing noong 2003, ayaw natin magsisihan pagkatapos na meron na pong nangyari,” he warned.
(It happened during the Davao bombing in 2003, we don’t want to point fingers after the incident.)
He then stressed the need always to ensure the safety of the people, saying, “While we want convenience, we must not forget that it must be our primary concern to ensure the safety of our people.”
“Hindi po ba makokompromiso ang kaligtasan ng mga pasahero dahil dito? Paano made-detect ang pagpasok ng kontrabando o bomba sa airport kung wala na po yung mga x-ray sa first layer?” added Go.
(Isn’t the safety of our passengers to be compromised? How can we detect the contraband or bomb that may enter the airport if the x-ray had been removed in the first layer?)
The senator then urged airport authorities to improve police visibility and aviation security to promote passengers’ safety amid removing the entrance scanners. He also urged authorities to heighten intelligence capabilities so that security will not be compromised for convenience.
“Kaya naman po hinihimok ko ang Naia, tignan po ng mabuti at dapat po magkaroon ng increased police visibility ang aviation security po ng PNP para masiguro na walang threat po sa safety ng ating mga pasahero [I urged the Naia to look into this carefully, increase police visibility and aviation security],” Go said.
Go said that while he sees the benefits of removing the first layer of security checks in the airport to provide convenience to Filipinos, it must be complemented with security measures to ensure that the country’s airports are safe for travelers.
“‘Yun lang po yung napansin ko sa Naia 2 and Naia 3… na sa tingin ko, delikado. Kung kaya na ba nating ma-detect itong mga bagahe, ‘yung may maaaring masasamang plano [that is what I noticed at Naia 2 and 3, I think it is dangerous. Can we detect what’s inside the baggage]?” questioned Go.
“Siguruhin nating ligtas ang ating mga airport at huwag pabayaan ang karapatan ng mga pasaherong naapektuhan [Let us make sure the airports are safe and never compromise the rights of our passengers],” he concluded.
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