Poe wants review of airport security operations

Sen. Grace Poe is calling for the review of Executive Order 311, which grants the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) the sole authority over security operations at the airports nationwide as the agency’s personnel were accused of planting bullets to extort from departing passengers.

Poe also urged Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to exercise his powers under the National Civil Aviation Security (NCAS) to oversee all operations of 25 agencies under his wing, including the OTS.

“They also have to finally exercise the powers and mandate that the law provides under EO 311 where the NCAS, chaired by the DOTC secretary, with 26 other relevant agencies, which have not convened ever since,” Poe said.

OTS airport personnel that inspect the luggage of passengers at the airports have been implicated in the alleged tanim-bala or bullet planting extortion scam.

Poe added that the NCAS should meet and come up with a comprehensive solution to address this problem, where the role and accountabilities of each member are identified and carried out properly.

Poe also sees the need to replace Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado and OTS administrator Rolando Recomono, who were grilled by senators during the public hearing on the

tanim-bala incidents conducted by the Senate last Thursday.

“However, it would be better if the agencies, particularly the DOTC, MIAA and the OTS, would have new but capable leaders for this purpose,” the senator said.

Poe also urged the concerned agencies to dig deeper into the reports that there is a well-oiled syndicate operating in the country.