2 NAIA security men probed on bribes; 35 others rounded up

MANILA — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) cleanup drive has weeded out two security personnel allegedly involved in a protection racket and resulted in the roundup of some 35 illegal solicitors and transportation operators at the country’s premier airport.

The MIAA’s drive is part of newly installed general manager Ed Monreal’s aim to rid the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Authority (NAIA) of at least 50 percent of illegal practices, particularly those affecting passengers, during his stint.

So far the campaign, which has been running for nearly a month, has netted a member of the Airport Police Department (APD) and a security guard who were caught on closed circuit TV (CCTV) footage allegedly collecting money from colorum vehicle operators at the NAIA terminal 3.

The APD member, Airport Police Officer 2 Joseph Alday, is the subject of investigation by the MIAA Investigation and Detection Section and the Special Investigative Committee on Police Matters Center.

Advance Force Security and Investigation Services guard Bilmar Ladion was captured on July 25  at around 5:30 pm, by CCTV cameras allowing colorum vehicle drivers to pick up passengers from the arrival open parking area and then allegedly pocketing crumpled peso bills.

According to Alen Capuyan, assistant general manager for security and emergency services,  both security personnel were stripped of their MIAA-issued passes for negligence in the performance of duty and accepting bribe money.

Capuyan said that the two men could be criminally charged with extortion in the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.

Apart from airport workers, the MIAA campaign has also seen the apprehension of 21 solicitors, who acted as “barkers” for colorum vehicles at the NAIA; 14 colorum vehicles; and an overcharging accredited taxi.

Monreal has assured the public that the campaign covers not only security forces but also civilian employees at the NAIA, saying it is unforgivable to compel passengers, particularly overseas workers, to shell out money for services they are entitled to and mulct money from them.

According to Monreal, neither poor pay nor poverty is reason to engage in corrupt practices, saying, “It is not a reason for you to do illegal things.”

He echoed transportation secretary Arturo Tugade’s warning to all attached agencies, including locators, concessionaires, and other NAIA workers to “refrain from engaging in any form of illegal activities that will tarnish the image of the MIAA and the DOTr and most especially the country and its leadership.” (With a report from Janine Perea, trainee)  SFM/rga