NAIA waits for Gana's remains

Manila, Philippines - Airport officials and employees of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are waiting for the remains of former Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Antonio Gana, which are expected to arrive anytime from Orange County, California in the US.

Sources inside the airport said yesterday that socialite Thelma Gana, his estranged wife, and her four kids left for the US last May 9 and are now arranging the return of his body to Manila.

Gana is the 7th MIAA general manager. He was appointed by then President Joseph Estrada and assumed office from 1998 to 2001.

MIAA labor leader and former Samahang Mangagawa sa Paliparan ng Pilipinas (SMPP) president Ceferino Lopez said that it was during the time of Gana that the cost of living allowance for the more than 1,500 MIAA employees was released.

“Whenever MIAA employees were sent for training abroad, he was always the one who would give additional financial support out of his own pocket to augment their travel allowance,” Lopez said.

It was reported last Sunday that the 73-year-old Gana was shot dead by his second wife, 41-year-old Anna Maria Gana. She has been charged with murder and the attempted murder of their 16-year-old son.

According to reports, Anna Maria, who is battling cancer, had opened fire on Antonio and their two children, killing the former MIAA general manager and wounding the 16-year-old.

Their 9-year-old son escaped unharmed.