Decoys prevent ‘Meteor’ rush

The management of TV network ABS-CBN let loose two "decoys" at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 yesterday afternoon to meet the screaming hordes of fans of visiting Taiwanese pop group F4 and allow authorities to quietly slip them out of the airport.

Two Filipino actors named Aaron Lim and MJ Coronel donned wigs similar to the hairstyles of Ken Zhu and Vanness Wu, stars of the hit telenovela Meteor Garden. The real pop idols, on the other hand, kept low profiles, constantly stooping as they went through the normal routine inspection at the Immigration and Customs offices before walking out of the arrival extension.

Gen. Angel Atutubo, MIAA assistant general manager for security and emergency services, said he even detailed some of his security personnel to escort the two ABS-CBN talents so the decoy plan would work.

"When the plane arrived Zhu and Wu were escorted to the maintenance stairs and no longer passed through the connecting tube from the plane to the gangway. After a short walk, they then boarded a waiting car to take them out of the NAIA," Atutubo said.

Earlier, Barbie Xiu, who plays San Cai in the TV series, arrived on board the China Airlines flight 631 at 10:05 a.m. She was met by some 500 fans and MIAA employees. MIAA arranged an alternative exit for the actress with a car waiting for her at the adjoining Duty Free Shop.

The number of F4 fans increased to an estimate of 700 people by the time Zhu and Wu’s flight arrived by 3:30 p.m. Better prepared NAIA security men were able to redirect the duo away from the crowd.

Meanwhile, at least 100 policemen will be deployed to control traffic and maintain peace and order during the concert of the Taiwanese group at the Ultra in Pasig City today.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), advised the public that parking will be banned from the stretch of Javier street in Barangay Oranbo and at the parking spaces inside the ULTRA.

The policemen will be deployed starting 3 p.m.

"Fans will have to park their vehicles somewhere else and walk to the concert area," Sacramento said as he assured vehicle owners that between 25 to 30 traffic policemen will be keeping watch to prevent car theft.

All bags will be subjected to strict scrutiny to prevent smuggling of liquor, drugs and weapons into the concert site. "Nobody will be spared," Sacramento said.

While uniformed policemen will be deployed at all entrances, plainclothes cops will mingle with the crowd to be on the lookout for pickpockets, holdupmen and other petty criminals.

Sacramento also said that persons caught smoking pot or drinking will be arrested.

"We are appealing to the fans to behave properly because we will not hesitate to make arrests if they violated the law," Sacramento said. — With Non Alquitran