CLARK FREEPORT -- Officials of Clark International Airport (CRK) have assured passengers that security measures are in place to ensure that no incidents of “laglag-bala” will happen in the country’s alternate airport.
This was learned from Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) head Emigdio Tanjuatco III, who said that they implemented security measures to protect their passengers amid the “laglag-bala” or bullet planting scheme of some personnel gypping passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Rendy Isip, officer-in-charge of the CIAC corporate communications office, said that screeners at the Clark airport terminal are not allowed to handle or touch baggage to prevent any incident of so-called planting of contraband or other illegal items on passengers’ belongings.
Aside from these, Isip said that lists of prohibited items are posted inside and outside the airport to warn passengers.
“In the more than 20 years of Clark airport’s existence, no single incident of ‘Laglag-Bala’ was reported,” Isip said.
More than 100 closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) were installed in departure and arrival areas, airport lounges, screening areas, and other key places in the passengers terminal, according to Isip.
“Our security personnel are monitoring the entire airport 24 hours a day,” Isip said.
Meanwhile, Tanjuatco said that the government has designated Clark airport as alternate airport for the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Manila on November 18 and 19.
He said that CRK is ready if there will be diversion of flights during the Apec meeting.
Isip said that operations at the airport will remain normal and no flights were cancelled because of the Apec summit.
Some 20 heads of states, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Barack Obama, will attend the Apec summit.
According to Isip, Clark airport may also be utilized as parking area of aircraft coming from different Asian countries during the international conference period.
He added that eight different airlines, with a total 124 international and local flights a week, operate in Clark.
The airlines include Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Qatar Airways, Airasia Berhad, Tiger Air Singapore, Cebu Pacific and Dragon Air.