Security tightened at Naia after Basilan bombing

A tighter security measure has been enforced at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after the bombing incident in Lamitan, Basilan.

The move was in line with the directive of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said, noting that they are “adopting 100% deployment of organic airport police and contracted security forces.”

“We advise the public to just go through the usual airport procedures without minding these enhancements. What we are doing is not intended to alarm them,” Monreal said Wednesday.

There will be increased frequency of vehicle checks with random inspections to be conducted using MIAA’s recently procured hybrid explosive detection equipment.

Foot patrol and perimeter surveillance will also be increased while K9 paneling will be more proactive, Monreal added.

The airport chief assured travelers that the implementation of these enhanced security measures will not affect flight operations.

“We appeal to public to cooperate as their safety is paramount at all times,” Monreal said.

On Tuesday, 11 persons were reportedly killed while five others were critically injured after a passenger van exploded 15 meters away from a checkpoint in Lamitan City in Basilan. /je