Guards commit 2 lapses in Tulfo-actors ruckus

The agency in charge of security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport may face sanctions for lapses its guards committed during the fracas between show biz couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto and Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo on Sunday, the Philippine National Police said.

Chief Superintendent Tomas Rentoy, head of the PNP’s Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agency (Sosia), said Lanting Security and Watchman Agency and its security guards clearly committed blunders during the incident.

“Admittedly, there were lapses committed, otherwise, nobody would have come to physical harm, including the ganging up on Mon Tulfo. So we really believe there were lapses,” Rentoy said.

He identified at least two lapses: “(First), they should have restrained the others from beating up Mon Tulfo and pacified them. (Second), they should have taken the parties to the office for investigation.”

He said: “Seemingly, they just let them at it. They also didn’t take them to the airport office or the police station, so there were two lapses we are looking at, and we will come up with the results shortly.”

Rentoy said his office would also look into reports that the security guards even joined in beating up of Tulfo.

“We have given them 48 hours (to explain their lapses) and then on Friday, perhaps, we will be coming up with an initial investigation report,” he said.

The official said Lanting and its guards could face penalties.

“We can impose sanctions on security agencies by suspending their license to operate or we are also looking at the culpability of the security guards, who may face sanctions as the case warrants,” he said.

Rentoy said an inspection of the area where the fisticuffs occurred showed that there really was no closed-circuit television in the area.

“We will be requiring the security agencies to put up the necessary CCTV cameras in the area,” he said.

One of 7 deadly sins

Frowning upon the brawl, a senior Catholic bishop reminded the parties involved to keep their temper in check, saying that anger is one of the seven deadly sins.

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz advised Tulfo, Santiago and Barretto to settle their conflict through diplomacy.

“The truth is, the Catholic Church considers anger as one of the worst sins that can destroy a person,” said Cruz over Church-run Radio Veritas. “Once a person becomes possessed by anger, he or she will lose sight of all his or her knowledge, education, will and upbringing,” said the prelate.

He lamented how Tulfo, Santiago and Barretto acted in public, stressing that all of them were public personalities being looked up to supposedly as good examples by many people.

Dose of own medicine

For its part, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Tulfo got a dose of his own medicine after he was beaten up in the brawl.

In comments posted on its official website, the MILF said Tulfo should learn that “it hurts to be assaulted.”

Khaled Musa, MILF committee on information deputy chair, described Tulfo as an “incorrigible critic of Moros in Mindanao, as if they (belong to a) subrace.”

‘Thrilla in Naia’

“I wish he would stop insulting people now that he has been given a dose of his own medicine,” Musa said. He, however, said the MILF was not taking sides in the brawl.

“It is not fair to say Ramon Tulfo or the Santiagos are guilty of starting the brawl. Let the facts of the incident come out soon,” Musa said.

Bishop Cruz advised the management of Cebu Pacific to improve their poor customer service, which had sparked the ire of the show biz couple and eventually led to the commotion.

“The airline should also improve its services … the incident last Sunday should serve as a big lesson for them too,” added the prelate.

San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito said the brawl had prompted Congress to pursue its probe of the abuses of Cebu Pacific and other budget airlines. With reports from Jocelyn R. Uy, Dona Z. Pazzibugan and Gil Cabacungan