Airport ‘cop’ in taxi row not a policeman – PNP

MANILA, Philippines - An airport “policeman,” caught on video smashing a taxi’s window while berating its driver, is not a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP), an official said yesterday.

Alejandro Pineda belongs to a security unit under the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said Chief Superintendent Christopher Laxa, chief of the PNP’s Aviation Security Group.

“The officer in the video that went viral is not a PNP officer. He is an airport policeman. We can’t blame the public for thinking he is with the PNP because he is called airport policeman,” Laxa said. “There are now moves to change their title of airport police to avoid confusion.”

He said Pineda and other airport security personnel handle petty crimes within the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the PNP’s Aviation Security Group handles traffic security, more serious crimes and hijacking. The two units also work together on traffic security and anti-crime operations as well.

Laxa made the clarification after the video went viral on social media.