MIAA workers tapped to spot extortionists at NAIA; Iloilo airport get CCTVs

November 3, 2015
Stickers bearing ‘Stop Tanim Bala’ warnings are handed out to passengers entering the NAIA Terminal 2, in Pasay City, by militant group Migrante.
INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has asked its employees to serve as the eyes in making sure passengers at the country’s premier airport do not fall prey to extortionists while the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has installed electronic ones.
In a November 6 memorandum to all MIAA employees, general manager Jose Angel Honrado assured all workers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that the agency has started working to get to the truth in the “tanim-bala (bullet-planting)” controversy.

“We need your (employees’) help, however. I encourage you to be vigilant and report all anomalous behavior to law enforcers or to your immediate supervisors for appropriate action. I will not hesitate to immediately remove from their posts those found at fault.”

Honrado, in his letter pertaining to the “tanim-bala” scheme,” said, “I write to address all airport employees — regardless of agency affiliation — to let you know that the airport management is one with its people in this moment of difficulty.”

He said that while MIAA and other law enforcement agencies have been looking into bullet-planting allegations against some airport personnel, other NAIA workers have “become a victim of insults from a suspicious riding public as you go about your job.”

“Know, however, that the innocent remain calm and resolute in difficult times. Our passengers need to know by your example that our commitment to their safety and convenience continues to be genuine. I appeal to you to stay true to your responsibility of serving our passengers,” the MIAA general manager said.

He stressed, “As the general manager of the NAIA, I give you my commitment that we will surmount this challenge.”

Honrado concluded, “More than ever, we remain dignified as we build our lives for our families through the public service we render every day.”

Meanwhile the Iloilo International Airport, which is under CAAP supervision, has acquired closed circuit TV (CCTV) equipment to keep a tight watch on the security and safety of airline passengers.

The CAAP said the installation was part of the P44-million allocation for the setup of CCTV systems in the Iloilo; Bacolod-Silay; Kalibo; and Legazpi international airports.

Security cameras are installed in “hotspots” like the departure, arrival and cargo areas.

“These are installed showing different angles, including the initial and final screening of passenger luggage for easy reference in case contraband or illegal substances are intercepted by security screeners,” CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio explained.

Ma. Mecine Reyes, area center VI manager, said that 38 high-definition cameras with zooming capacity of at most 1 kilometer were installed at the Iloilo international airport.

Reyes said that recordings would be stored in digital format at a main server and record playbacks would be immediately accessible.  SFM