Airport cops kill runway ‘intruder’

A dog running loose on the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was shot several times then beaten with a metal pipe just for good measure by airport policemen yesterday.

The first to have a crack at the brown and white mongrel was an Airport Police Department (APD) officer with a shotgun, aiming at his target from a distance of 15 feet. The shotgun, however, failed to go off.

He then replaced the cartridge, fired and hit the dog in the head.

Another policeman fired his revolver, hitting the dog twice in the head.

A third officer grabbed a metal pipe lying on a grassy area near Runway 24-06 then smashed the dog’s head and body to make sure the animal was dead.

Police earlier received complaints from pilots because of the hazard posed by animals to aircraft landing and taking off from the airport.

In the past, dogs, birds, and even a deer owned by a Moonwalk Subdivision resident, have been spotted running around the perimeter of the NAIA.

Some animals have been run over by planes taking off and landing at the NAIA.

Airport authorities have been trying to clear animals from the runways, but apparently even concrete barriers and wire mesh fences are not enough to prevent animals from crossing the runways and taxiways.

Air traffic controllers said the dog that was killed yesterday had been seen near the runway for quite some time now. Airport personnel, however, had trouble catching the dog because it quickly escapes and hides in manholes and structures of the area, which is covered with tall grass.

When members of airport crew were replacing a wind cone yesterday, one of them spotted the elusive dog. Police officers were called in to get rid of the intruder.

During a chase at the runway, the dog ran toward a concrete bunker, where it was cornered and killed.

The five APD officers who responded to the "emergency" said they plan to cook and eat the dog for lunch and during drinking sessions when off-duty.

"Sa akin pulutan ito," said one of the policemen who took part in the shooting.