Davao airport security doubly tightened

DAVAO CITY — Security has been doubly tightened at the Davao City International Airport following reports that a suspect in the Oct. 12 bombings in Bali, Indonesia had planned to flee to the Philippines this week.

"We have coordinated with all the agencies concerned, including the immigration and Customs bureaus. We have tightened all aspects of security at the airport," said Lt. Col. Beltran Gido, chief of the Aviation Security Command (Avsecom) at the Davao airport.

Top Indonesian police officials bared in an international forum against terrorism held over the weekend in Manila, that Amrozi, a mechanic based in Bali, was in possession of two one-way tickets to the North Sulawesi capital of Manado, in an apparent attempt to flee from authorities.

Amrozi, arrested last week in a small village on the eastern sector of Java island, admitted to have taken part in the Bali bombings that killed almost 200 tourists, mostly Australians. He was reported to have owned the L-300 Mitsubishi van used in the bombings.

Bouraq Indonesia Airlines and Merpati Airlines service regular direct flights between Davao City and Manado. Shipping companies also ply the neighboring port city of Bitung and General Santos City.

Undocumented cross-border travels have been reported among Indonesian and Filipino traders alike who peddle their wares in islands between the Philippines and Indonesia.

Gido said security committees of all airports would be convened to get additional inputs to enhance the security program of the Avsecom.