2 NAIA security execs quit over CCTV deal

MANILA, Philippines - Two security officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have resigned, reportedly following conflicts with Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Honrado over the bidding for a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.

Salvador Peñaflor, assistant general manager for security and emergency handed in his letter of irrevocable resignation on Oct. 4, effective the same day. He joined the MIAA in 2010.

Airport police chief Alger Tan resigned on Aug. 5, according to Peñaflor.

Peñaflor told The STAR that he resigned over “so many issues,” among them the bidding for the CCTV system.

“The CCTV system should have been bought and installed long ago, but Honrado suspended the bidding, saying he received information that somebody from the technical evaluation committee leaked the terms of reference to the bidders,” he said.

Peñaflor said the bidding was held late last year but Honrado suspended the awarding upon receiving the tip through a text message. He said he gave Honrado a list of names of people who could have leaked the terms of reference prior to the bidding.

Probe not enough?

Peñaflor alleged that Honrado not only had the people on the list investigated, but had them undergo a lie detector test when he was not satisfied with the results of the internal investigation.

“The results of the polygraph test were all negative,” he said.

Peñaflor said Tan resigned after he was investigated and made to undergo a lie detector test. He noted that a lie detector test is only required when there is a complainant – and a text message is not enough.

He accused Honrado of making a big deal out of the issue “when there no reason to delay the installation of CCTV cameras at NAIA.” Peñaflor said he and the MIAA manager studied at the Philippine Air Force flying school in 1976 and had been close friends.

In an interview yesterday, Honrado said he has accepted Peñaflor’s resignation.

Sources said Honrado is eyeing Chief Superintendent Jesus Descanzo, chief of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, as Peñaflor’s replacement. Descanzo and Honrado are reportedly cousins, insiders said.