Duterte files raps vs Davao airport chief

DAVAO CITY – The city government has filed administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao against Davao City International Airport manager Frederick San Felix for mishandling the Cebu Pacific Flight 5J971 mishap last June 2.

Mayor Sara Duterte filed the charges against San Felix and other airport personnel for their alleged failure to execute an emergency evacuation during the accident.

Duterte lamented how the airport management allowed the haphazard unloading of the passengers from the plane.

The Cebu Pacific Airbus 320 jet missed runway 23 upon landing in Davao City during a thunderstorm and skidded off the runway and veered to the right side toward a grassy portion in front of the main terminal.

All 165 passengers, including the two pilots and four crewmembers, were not hurt. But the runway was closed and reopened only two days later when the damaged aircraft was removed.

San Felix said he would answer the charges at the right time and at the right forum.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General William Hotchkiss III confirmed yesterday the reshuffle of some 50 managers of various airports nationwide that would take effect on Monday.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport general manager Angel Hondrado is not included in the reshuffle, which was an offshoot of the Cebu Pacific mishap in Davao City.