Standoff at Iloilo airport: Bacolod ready to take on flights

The situation is not ideal. But the reality is when something happens somewhere, there are always alternatives. Not desirable, but a fallback position can alleviate an impending crisis.

That is what’s happening with the standoff at the Mandurriao airport in Iloilo City between the Air Transportation Office (ATO) and businessman Bernie Miaque.

Yesterday, Transportation Assistant Secretary Ricardo Tan said that if the worst scenario in Iloilo happens, the Bacolod airport is prepared to take in flights to and from Iloilo City.

But despite an earlier announcement by ATO area manager Alan Java that he would recommend the closure of the Mandurriao airport, by Monday afternoon, the ATO, PNP and Iloilo City Officials reconsidered the plan.

But the airport security committee decided to impose stringent security measures.

Java, however, stressed that the ATO may still cancel flights or close the airport if the situation deteriorates further.

Acting City Mayor Guillermo de la Llana thanked the ATO officials for their move. He pointed out that the closure of the Mandurriao airport would be a disastrous decision. Everybody, he added, "will be highly affected by it."

The presence of numerous armed men in the area caused by the standoff between ATO officials and Miaque’s personnel presented a clear and present threat to airport security and operations, Java told local mediamen.

Miaque disputed Java’s claim that the airport concession was responsible for the tiff.

"I have not taken over the vehicle parking area of the airport nor forcefully operate my pay-parking business concession," he said in a radio interview.

The businessman claimed that it was Java who harassed him to favor another airport concessionaire. He also accused Java of painting him as the villain.

In 1989, then airport manager Edmundo Gerochi issued a concession permit for Miaque to operate pay parking space as well as taxicab and limousine service for 15 years.

The ATO, however, claimed that Miaque has not paid for the lots.

Thus, in August 2004, the ATO filed a petition for unlawful detainer against Miaque with the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 3 of Iloilo City.

In January this year, Judge Alexis Zerrudo issued an order for Miaque to vacate the disputed lot and return it to ATO.

The court order covered the pay parking space as well as the areas which Miaque used for his taxicab, limousine and carwash services and security and detective agency.

The judge also ordered Miaque to dismantle all the buildings and structures on the lots and pay ATO P2,000 per day from June 9, 2004 until such time that he has turned over the properties to the ATO.

Later, Regional Trial Court Branch 23 Judge Edgardo Catilo issued a writ of execution.

On April 21, however, the 18th Division of the Court of Appeals temporarily restrained the execution of the original order of the RTC branch.

Miaque, invoking the TRO of the appellate court, resumed his business operations on May 6, leading to a standoff between the security personnel of Miaque and ATO.

Then, Java recommended the suspension of airport operations, stressing that he could not risk the safety of passengers since he no longer controls the areas which Miaque occupies.

The TRO is being contested by government lawyers representing ATO.

The ATO, meanwhile, has withheld the suspension order and instead adopted the stricter enforcement of regulations banning security personnel from carrying long firearms at the airport.

The Iloilo City government also deployed 17 cops in the airport area. The military has also been alerted on the possibility of reinforcing the PNP and ATO personnel in the airport.

As of press time, there has been no change in Java’s decision. Monday’s conference was attended by ATO legal department chief Deocamp, maintenance chief Edgar Custes, security chief Col. Soloman Arbohado, Senior Inspector Edilberto Jacilda of the ATO security group, Iloilo City police chief Norlito Bautista, city administrator Melchor Tan, and Vice Mayor De la Llana, the acting mayor since Mayor Jerry Treñas is in the US on official leave.

ADDENDUM. 1Lt. Augis of the Philippine Army’s 31st Reconnaissance Company was relieved from his post following the bloody clash between his troops and some barangay residents of Panpanan 1, San Remegio town in Antique last Saturday morning. Col. Gregorio Fajardo, commander of Task Force Panay, said the relief is to make sure that the investigation into the incident would be fair. The PNP-Region 6 is also conducting a parallel investigation, according to regional police director Doroteo Reyes II. A 65-year-old woman, Epifania Cabaya, was killed. Her husband, Abelardo, 65, was wounded, along with 11-year-old Joylen and nine-year-old Justin. Their grandfather, 72-year-old Federico, was also wounded. The armed civilians were reportedly led by barangay captain Julie Cabusbusan. The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes. Army troopers immediately gave first aid to the victims.