‘High-risk neighbors’

Some 400 squatter families living outside the perimeter wall of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will likely lose their homes after the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) declared the area as "high risk."

MIAA General Manager Edgardo Manda plans to hold a dialogue with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando to develop plans for the relocation of the squatter colony.

At the same time, Manda also ordered recently the additional security at the perimeter wall.

"I don’t want to preempt sinister moves by those who might want to wreak havoc, but considering the proximity of the airport to the squatters, there might be an attempt and we don’t want that to happen," said Manda.

Manda also ordered the installation of surveillance cameras and sensors at the perimeter fence to monitor the suspicious movements of outsiders.

As an added security measure, Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) director Chief Superintendent Jesus Versoza 24-hour patrol within the vicinity of the perimeter wall has been ordered.

Some squatters have built shanties near the entrance of Multi-National Village, a few meters away from NAIA.

Manda said after a meeting with airport security officials, they came to the conclusion that the squatters outside the perimeter wall are considered "high risk" since their movements cannot be monitored.