Senator Grace Poe answers questions from reporters at the Senate on Monday, February 20, 2023. INQUIRER.net / Daniza Fernandez
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Monday discovered how simple it is to access the “restricted security areas” in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) as no CCTV cameras are installed there.
In an interview, Poe lamented the state of Naia’s guarded security areas which, apparently became a hub for illicit human trafficking.
“‘Yung nakita natin dito, napakadali pong pumasok du’n sa restricted security areas natin kung saan nandu’n ‘yung tarmac, kung saan nandu’n lahat ng eroplanong nakaparada. Kung may nagsingit ng kontrabando [o] kung anuman doon sa nakaparadang eroplano na ‘yun? That is a major security risk,” she told reporters at the Senate.
(We’re seeing here that it is easy to enter the restricted security areas where the tarmac and airplanes are parked. What if someone slid contraband into that parked plane? That is a major security risk.)
“Pangalawa, nakita din natin na hindi naman kamahalan maglagay ng CCTV, mabilis naman. Bakit walang CCTV du’n? Kasi du’n siguro nagkakaroon ng lusot,” she added.
(Second, we know that CCTVs are inexpensive. Why are there no CCTVs there? Maybe because it’s the point where there can be slip-throughs.)
According to Poe, reports indicate that unauthorized individuals entered an aircraft after an immigration officer told them they were “clear to travel” despite not being in the flight manifest.
The controversial aircraft is operated by a Hong Kong-registered leasing firm, Cloud Nine No. 1 Leasing Company Limited. Its assigned aircraft ground handler is a local company, Globan Aviation Service Corporation or Globan.
Poe said Globan is also the same firm that attempted to smuggle Mohit and Twinkle Dargani, the siblings tagged in the Pharmally scandal, out of the Philippines.
“Well, it seems that Globan is deeply entrenched in our system. Siyempre, may relationship na sila sa CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), sa MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority), sa immigration, sa customs siguro,” she said.
(Well, it seems that Globan is ingrained in our system. But, of course, maybe it already has a relationship with CAAP, MIAA, immigration, and customs.)
Poe said the Senate blue ribbon committee would launch an investigation on the reported human smuggling at the Naia on Tuesday, February 21.
RELATED STORIES
BI notes possible ‘clearance’ issue on ‘unauthorized’ flight of private jet from Naia
Miaa says chartered flight to Dubai took off with approved permits
One-stop border clearance hub sought after issue with Dubai-bound chartered flight