NAIA beefs up security for Holy Week

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officials has ordered all its police and security personnel to beef up security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the next two weeks under "Oplan Kwaresma."

Airport officials are also increasing police visibility and patrol operations in all areas, particularly at the arrival and departure sections in Terminals 1 and 2.

MIAA assistant general manager for security and emergency services Angel Atutubo said all requests for leave of absence have been denied while those that have already been approved were cancelled.

"We are on full force. This will go on until Monday after Easter Sunday," he told The STAR in an interview yesterday.

Atutubo said all police, fire, rescue, and medical personnel have been tapped in anticipation of an increased number of passengers in the next few days.

"Our doctors and nurses are on stand-by because we have incidents in the past of passengers suffering heat strokes because of the hot weather," he said.

Atutubo said many are taking advantage of Cebu Pacific’s P1 ticket promo for domestic and international destinations.

Police Center for Aviation Services (PCAS) Terminal 1 station head Chief Inspector Jonathan Galang said Oplan Kwaresma also calls for intensified intelligence and counter-intelligence operations to preempt any terrorist activity.

He said that under the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Bantay Lakbay, airport policemen will maintain police assistance counters in coordination with airport authorities and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

"Police visibility and patrol operations are being beefed up to preempt lawlessness within the airport," Galang told The STAR, quoting orders from PCAS overall chief Senior Superintendent Efren Labiang.

He added that the focus is on the domestic flights area since passenger build-up, mostly to Visayan destinations, usually begins on Palm Sunday.