NAIA keeps tight watch on foreign mails

Airport Customs authorities are keeping a close watch on all foreign mails, especially from countries perceived to be exporters of terrorism, following intelligence reports that a Middle East-based group was out to help the Abu Sayyaf Group in its war of attrition against the government by sending bombs through the mails.

Major Esmeralda Saplala, head of the Customs Enforcement and Security Service (CESS) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, issued the alert order as officials of the Air Mail Distribution Center (ADC) revealed that certain foreign-based groups were using the ADC to smuggle "all kinds of prohibited and dangerous items through mail parcels."

Saplala said that they have to be on high alert for possible mail parcels that may contain explosives which automatically explode when opened. An explosive-detecting machine was installed to scan all incoming foreign mail and parcels, she added.

CESS agents intercepted last year shipments of cocaine and explosive materials at the ADC sent as parcels from abroad. Four foreigners who claimed the mail parcels from the ADC, were arrested and detained, and criminal charges for smuggling of prohibited drugs were filed against them.

Saplala also reported the seizure of 41 mail parcels, 35 of which contained computer learning materials and pirated video compact discs with an estimated value of some P5 million.

"We are not discounting learning materials sent from abroad on how to make a home-made bomb," Saplala said, adding, that "we have to scan all the mails arriving from foreign countries following the reported sporadic bombings in Metro Manila."