'Safety at DMIA not compromised by theft of cables'

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines  – The engineering department of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) yesterday said security and safety at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) “were not compromised” amid reports that power cables have been stolen.

“Power cables at the airport were already upgraded and working properly in compliance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization,” the CIAC said in a statement.

The stolen cables were said to be vital back-up features for primary power lines for lights on the DMIA’s runway and taxiway.      

The CIAC statement quoted engineering department manager Ruel Angeles as saying that the missing cables “are remnants of the old power lines installed along Runway 02R/20L and Taxiway 5.”      

“These old lines are used to power the perimeter lights and not Runway 2 and Taxiway F5 as reported. The power cables (at the runway and taxiway) remain intact, “ the CIAC said. 

Angeles, according to CIAC, “erred on his previous report with regards the actual length and value of the alleged missing power cables.”

“The airfield ground lighting system for the runway and taxiway lights were not affected and are fully operational and are backed up by a standby power generator,” Angeles said.

“The report was malicious and unfounded because the power cables are intact,” he added.      

The CIAC said a field inventory conducted by its Electrical Maintenance Section “discovered that some of the perimeter lights were not working but this would not affect operations of the entire airport.”

CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said, “It is business as usual at the Clark airport which is operating smoothly.”   

CIAC vice president for operations Reynaldo Catacutan, however, blamed Luciano for the theft, saying he should be held “administratively and criminally liable for qualified theft.”

This, as Luciano issued a handwritten letter giving access to four personnel of ACP Manpower to the area where the underground cables were stolen, Catacutan said.

But Luciano said he issued passes to the ground maintenance people on condition that their backgrounds would be checked properly.