Davao airport chief replaced

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Davao International Airport manager, whose ouster was demanded by city officials following the runway mishap involving a Cebu Pacific plane last June 2, has been replaced and reassigned to Cebu.

Outgoing airport manager Frederick San Felix will reportedly be replaced by Jose Budiongan in a simple ceremony today at the office of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in the airport complex here.

The CAAP implemented a nationwide revamp of airport managers following the June 2 mishap at the Davao airport, which also resulted in the suspension of the two pilots of Cebu Pacific Flight 5J971.

San Felix is also facing administrative charges filed by former mayor Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao for his alleged mishandling of the incident, which caused the closure of the airport for two days and resulted in economic losses amounting to over P250 million.

San Felix said he would answer the charges against him in the proper forum.

Also affected by the CAAP revamp which took effect on Monday are the following airport managers with their new assignments: Demetrio Apolinar, Laoag: Ronald Estabillo, Plaridel; Eduardo Lansang, Palawan; Cynthia Tumanut, Legazpi; Antonio Alfonso, Iloilo; Arnel Borlado, Tacloban; Efren Nagrama, Zamboanga; Danila Abarreta, Laguindingan; Agnes Udang, Butuan; Emmanuel Costelo, Pagadian; Celso Bayabos, Ozamiz; Rodolfo Collantes, Surigao; and Diorico Elena, Calbayog. 

Airport officials Naga Rascal, Roy Gamoso and Egon Nile Jordan were recalled to the CAAP main office.