Magsaysay tells airlines, airports to retrain personnel after Naia brawl

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay. congress.gov.ph photo

MANILA, Philippines—A lawmaker on Wednesday urged airlines and airports to retrain their personnel, following the controversial airport brawl between radio host-Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo and entertainment celebrity couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto-Santiago.

Saying that such videos can damage the country’s image as a tourist destination, Zambales Representative Ma. Milagros Magsaysay reminded airlines that a much more important issue linked to the Tulfo-Santiago fistfight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was their officers’ responsibilities in ensuring smooth travel for their passengers and their baggage.

Airport security, she said, should know what to do when faced with irate passengers so that tension will not escalate.

Tulfo earlier said the fight broke out after he refused to hand over to Santiago the mobile phone he used to take photos of Barretto-Santiago scolding airport personnel about her family’s baggage. He has lodged charges of serious physical injury and grave coercion against the Santiago couple and their companions.

A Youtube video showing Santiago and Tulfo’s scuffle at the airport has also gone viral this week and has been dubbed “Thrilla in NAIA”.  As of Wednesday, it has gained more than a million hits.