Tulfo presses Miaa chief to set up VIP processing centers

VIP passenger. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A lot of passengers passing through the country’s airports are “VIPs in government,” according to the head of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa).

Presiding over Thursday’s hearing of the Senate committee on public services on the state of the country’s airports, Sen. Raffy Tulfo pressed the Miaa for an update about his proposal to tighten security measures for the processing of VIP passengers similar to those for regular travelers.

“Hanggang ngayon wala pa ring processing center ang airport para sa mga VIP passengers sa mga private and chartered airplanes going abroad? Why?” he asked, directing his question to MIAA General Manager Eric Ines.

(Until now, there is still no processing center at the airport for VIP passengers on private and chartered airplanes going abroad? Why?)

READ: Senators seek tighter airport security checks for VIPs

Unlike regular travelers, these VIP passengers go directly to the plane from their SUV or limousine without undergoing the usual inspection processes, the senator said.

Tulfo then gave the Miaa an ultimatum to act on his proposal.

“I want a processing center. Araw-araw kitang patatawagin dito ‘pag hindi ito natupad by end of the year, or at least next year…” he said.

(I want a processing center. I will call you here every day if this is not implemented by the end of the year, or at least by next year…)

Ines later informed the Senate body that they have already deployed security guards to check on all passengers entering the airports.

“Yung security guard po is composed of the airport police department and that is backed up by the PNP (Philippine National Police). Tinitingnan po lahat ng mga ID sa general aviation area,” he added.

(The security guard team is composed of the airport police department, and that is backed up by the PNP. All IDs are being checked in the general aviation area.)

But Tulfo was not satisfied, calling for stricter measures by making sure VIP passengers are frisked and their belongings are thoroughly inspected to prevent them from smuggling contraband.

It was as this point that the Miaa chief disclosed that most of these VIPs are in government.

“Sa ngayon po ang mga pumapasok po ngayon ay karamihan po kung hindi po sana ikasasama ng loob…sapagkat ito po ay mga tinatawag nating mga medyo mga VIPs po natin sa gobyerno po,” Ines said.

(Currently, most of those entering are, if I may say so, our so-called VIPs in the government, and I hope this does not offend anyone.)

READ: Miaa suggests one-stop shop to process docs of airport VIP passengers

Tulfo pressed the official to name names.

“Sino-sino po ito? Huwag kayong matakot. Anong pangalan po nitong mga taga gobyerno. Go ahead, mention their names,” the senator said.

(Who are they? Don’t be afraid. What are the names of these government officials? Go ahead, mention their names.)

“Ibigay ‘nyo po sa akin ang listahan kung natatakot kayo,” he added.

(Please give me the list if you are afraid.)

Ines promised to share the names with the senator.

Tulfo went on to lambast government VIPs.

“What makes them so special samantalang ‘yung mga bomoto sa kanila, dumadaan sa proseso , dumadaan sa butas na karayom tapos itong mga niluklok na mga ordinaryong tao ito ang bibigyan super VIP treatment? Heck no. It should not be that way,” he said.

(What makes them so special, while those who voted for them go through the process and undergo stringent checks? Meanwhile, these appointed ordinary people are given super VIP treatment? Heck no. It should not be that way.)

NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.