PROBE ON XIAMEN AIR ACCIDENT KICKS OFF
Lawmaker also set to investigate incident in House on Sept. 5
Separate investigations have been launched into the Xiamen Air accident that caused the shutdown of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) international runway as Malacañang yesterday assured that sanctions would be in order.
“It’s not just an apology that we will ask for. We’re now conducting an investigation if there is any liability on the part of Xiamen Airlines pilot. That’s why he has been asked not to leave the country. That’s part of an ongoing investigation,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
“But you are right. They could not be absolved without any apology. But I think, it’s more than apology because we’re now investigating if there’s any kind of liability that we can attribute to the pilot,” he added.
The pilot and the first officer of the stalled Xiamen Air aircraft have been barred from leaving the country pending the results of an investigation being conducted by airport and transport officials.
Roque said the results of the investigation will determine the appropriate charges against the Xiamen pilot.
“They’re looking into it and they will conclude the report and take the necessary actions against the pilot of the Xiamen,” he said.
“(They are looking into) all sorts of liability. I am not actually in authority of aviation laws so I wouldn’t know but it can’t be any different from the laws of court and it can’t be any different from our criminal laws on reckless imprudence resulting to damages,” he added.
In Congress, the House committee on transportation led by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento will investigate the incident on Sept. 5. Two senators have also called for an investigation.
Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo (Quezon City) said airport officials should be held accountable for the inconvenience caused by the two-day closure of the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week.