RP pilots reject carrying of guns

Saying that armed pilots might frighten passengers, an official of the Airline Pilots’ Association of the Philippines (ALPAP) rejected yesterday a government plan to allow them to carry guns in flight to deter hijackings.

The sight of gun-toting pilots would instill fear among passengers that the aircraft would be hijacked, ALPAP president Teodito Lloren told radio station dzMM yesterday.

"It would only create the impression among passengers that the airplane they are riding in is a target of hijackers," he said. "It would constantly harbor fear among passengers while they are in flight."

Lloren called on the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group under police Director Marcelo Ele to beef up security at the departure areas, especially at perimeter zones of the country’s airports.

Lloren said nothing could stop a determined terrorist from gaining entry into an aircraft as he could disguise himself as a member of the crew.

"There’s no foolproof plan against a determined terrorist," he said. "There’s nothing we can do but to follow the command of these hijackers."

Lloren said simultaneous hijackings similar to those that occurred in the United States last Sept. 11 could happen in the Philippines once airport security becomes lax.

"Security in the US airports is already tight, yet the terrorists were able to slip in," he said. "What more in our airports which are not as sophisticated than the airports in other parts of the globe?"

The Federal Aviation Administration has stepped up security in all US airports after terrorists crashed three hijacked commercial airlines into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon last Sept. 11.

US authorities are planning to put sky marshals aboard domestic and international flights to thwart any hijack attempt. – Nestor Etolle