More cops deployed to new Kalibo airport

MANILA, Philippines - Additional policemen were deployed to Kalibo International Airport to help maintain peace and order in the airport, which is set to open today.

Senior Superintendent Art Evangelista, deputy director for operations of the Aviation Security Group (ASG), said the management of the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) has requested for deployment of additional personnel and the installation of anti-hijacking equipment for its opening.

“We deployed 15 police personnel and 15 non-uniformed personnel to ensure order during the opening of the airport as requested by the management,” Evangelista told reporters in a forum sponsored by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Evangelista said the Aklan Police Provincial Office is also coordinating with the airport management.

He urged the public to refrain from carrying butane, a flammable hydrocarbon gas that is a constituent of petroleum and is used in bottled form as fuel.

“Airline passengers should not carry with them pressurized perfume, sharp objects, Swiss knives, nail cutters and bullets, these are the items prohibited in the aircraft,” Evangelista said.

The construction of the airport which started in March 2008 was part of the P130 million fund promised by President Arroyo in 2007 for the upgrading of the airport which is being developed to become an international landmark for tourism.