Airport tension cancels PAL flight
An airline flight from Iloilo Mandurriao Airport afternoon of Friday was canceled after tension broke out between the security guards of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) and businessman Bernie Miaque.
An official of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Iloilo office said the 4 pm flight to Manila Friday was canceled due to security risks resulting from the tension at the airport.
Passengers of the canceled flight were then booked to the following day's flights of PAL.
The tension sprung from the implementation of the ejection order on Miaque's paid parking, carwash and security academy businesses.
The order was handed down by Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Alexis Zerrudo after ruling in favor of the ATO in an unlawful detainer case versus Miaque.
A day before, on Thursday, Miaque managed to prevent ejection of his other businesses - Bernie's Place, giftshops and porterage - by getting a 60-day restraining order from the Court of Appeals.
However, the restraining order pertains only to the writ of execution issued by by Judge Danilo Galvez covering Bernie's Place in front of the Iloilo Airport and his stall inside the airport terminal, among others.
Shortly after noontime, Sheriff Johnny Tugado with the assistance from ATO official Bella Ignarlen and several policemen began pulling out Miaque's equipment and personnel from the parking area, carwash and security academy.
Tension flared when ATO guards positioned themselves in the parking lot which was then secured by Miaque's guards.
Fortunately, cooler heads intervened which prevented the occurrence of a near shoot-out among the security guards.
Before the implementation of the ejection order a heated argument ensued between Miaque and Sheriff Tugado.
Miaque protested that his right to due process was violated when the Sheriff insisted on implementing the order when they still have pending legal actions on the case.
Miaque asked that they be given time to avail of remedies however Tugado was insistent, saying the moratorium for the implementation of the ejection order has already lapsed.
As of Saturday morning the situation at the Iloilo Airport has returned to normal.
No more fees are charged on vehicles using the airport parking lot while ATO security guards had taken over the place.