MIAA vows strict monitoring of luggage

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has deployed more airport police intelligence officers at the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to monitor the transport of baggage to catch handlers pilfering the luggage of passengers.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said that new members of the Airport Police Department intelligence office were tapped to covertly

monitor operations at the tarmac from the airplane to the terminals.

He said they are monitoring several employees since personnel always have conspirators.

“I am appealing to everyone and to all service providers/employees, to do what is right and not embarass the country,” Monreal said.

All personnel working inside the tarmac would be frisked before they enter and before they exit, from the aircraft to build up station.

He said personnel who transport baggage would undergo body search before they are allowed to exit and they would be equipped with body cameras, their suit will be pocketless, no wearing of jewelry and no cellular phones will be allowed during their operations.

“It is time to make our airport free form pilferage,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air is working with the MIAA to ensure the smooth transition of airport ground services following the announcement of the non-renewal of the lease and concession agreement by MIAA and MIASCOR due to pilferage committed by the firm’s employees.

Cebu Pacific said in a statement that the safety and security of passengers is their top priority.

“We are confident that with the assistance of the airport authorities and other stakeholders there will be no interruption to service continuity,” he said.

Monreal said MIAA is no longer renewing the ground handling services contract of MIASCOR Aviation Services due to pilferage incidents.

Cebu Pacific is one of the airlines handled by MIASCOR and the firm was given only 60 days to vacate all premises it has occupied inside the airport terminals.

The decision to no longer renew the contract with MIASCOR was reached due to incidents of pilferage as well as upon orders from President Duterte himself.

Monreal said that at NAIA alone some 26 pilferage cases were reported in 2016 allegeldy involving 18 MIASCOR ground handlers.

Pilferage cases have been reduced from 26 to seven last year.

Monreal said that there are so many service providers that airlines can choose to handle their baggage, like PAGGS, Skylander, Macroasia and Orbit that are all licensed.

Carriers served by MIASCOR include Malaysia Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Air Hong Kong, Qantas Airways, Jeju Air, Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan and Cebu Pacific.

The government would also implement other measures to put a stop to pilferage incidents.