Militant groups oppose Open Skies policy

Several left-leaning organizations from various aviation companies led by the Philippine Airlines Employees Union (PALEA) marched yesterday to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) complex in Pasay City to protest the Open Skies policy.

The protesters, numbering about 200 men and women from PALEA, Alab Katipunan, Mamamayang Kabalikat ng Bansa (MAKABANSA), Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawang Pilipino (KPMP), and the Aviation Workers for Employment and Solidarity (AWES) walked from the Our Lady of Airways Parish Church (OLAP) along MIA Road near Sucat Avenue to the CAB office along MIA Road.

The protesters brought placards, red flags, a Philippine flag and banners urging the CAB to trash the Open Skies agreement. They also demanded the resignation of CAB Director Alberto Lim, whom the protesters accused of lobbying for the approval of the Open Skies policy.

The same group held a rally at the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for the same reasons.

The Open Skies policy agreement allows, among other things, unlimited passenger flights between the United States and the Philippines.

Protesters claim that the agreement is disadvantageous to the Philippines and will result in loss of jobs for people in the aviation industry.