MCIA told to review measures vs. theft

CEBU, Philippines - The head of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group strongly recommended that the security committee of the Mactan Cebu International Airport should review its airport security program to stop the reported pilferage of the luggage of passengers arriving on international flights.

Chief Supt. Edwin Corvera told Mactan airport general manager Danilo Augusto Francia that the nefarious activities are presumed to be taking place when the luggage are being transferred from the aircraft’s cargo bay to the luggage disembarking area before these are loaded into the conveyor.

Corvera said that the people handling the transfer of luggage from the plane’s baggage compartment to the claim area are usually airlines employees or those people hired by the airline company.

“Thus, the responsibility of these cargoes is solely borne by the concerned airline company, unfortunately, however, when something goes wrong within this specific area, the airport administration and other airport stakeholders are also being faulted,” he added.

According to Corvera the complaint of the Cebu City Council about the pilferage of cargoes of some arriving passengers of international flights are valid not only at the Mactan Cebu International Airport, but also in other airports of the country.

“We would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to the Cebu City legislators for bringing to our attention this perennial problem that has been besieging our traveling public or tourists not only in Cebu, but also probably taking place in other airports.

Corvera said if the pilferage of cargoes remains unabated it will surely cast doubts and bring negative impressions detrimental to the country’s tourism industry.

Mactan airport officials have already announced that they will install additional spy cameras in strategic areas to cover the entire movement of the luggage as one way to improve security.

The Office for Transportation Security had assured it will also investigate complaints of passengers who were victimized by these unscrupulous persons. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP    (FREEMAN NEWS)