Airport Security Committee finds key to end airport conflict
To thwart any untoward incident involving the blue guards of businessman Bernie Miaque and the Air Transportation Office (ATO) at the Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao district, the Airport Security Committee (ASC) has finally approved the recommendation to declare the airport vicinity a "gun free zone."
The ASC composed of ATO General Manager Allan Java, representatives from the Police Regional Office 6, Iloilo City Police Office, Iloilo City Mobile Group, Aviation Security Group (ASG), the airport concessionaires and the city government held a conference yesterday to find solutions to the brewing conflict at the Iloilo Airport.
Miaque however complained over Aksyon Radyo yesterday that he was not invited to the conference despite the fact that he is the biggest concessionaire at the airport.
Under the gun free zone policy, only the members of the Philippine National Police will be allowed to carry guns anywhere at the airport. ATO personnel detailed inside the airport building and control tower are also allowed to bring along with them their firearms.
While, both blue guards of ATO and the concessionaire are prevented from carrying their firearms outside their respective areas of operation particularly near the airport terminal building.
The security guards who are posted near the taxi lane area are also banned from carrying their guns. Recently, blue guards from ATO and that of Miaque figured in an altercation at the taxi lane area.
The ASC resolution came after airport operations was nearly suspended due to the ensuing conflict between ATO and Miaque. As early as Friday, ATO has already recommended for the suspension of airport's operation after the "ATO lost control of the vehicle parking area."
Miaque operates pay parking and several other businesses at the airport.
The 18th Division of the Court of Appeals in its April 21 and May 3 resolutions ordered the resumption of Miaque's businesses which are being contested by ATO.
Last Monday afternoon, Java has strongly recommended for the suspension of the airport operation to diffuse the tension. Higher officials from ATO arrived in the city to validate Java's recommendation.
However, with the intervention of the city government represented by Vice Mayor Guillermo Dela Llana and City Administrator Melchor Tan the planned suspension of operations was called off.
Earlier, Miaque disputed Java's claim that the situation at the Iloilo Airport has turned out of control.
In a letter addressed to the station managers of airline companies Miaque insisted that the situation at the Iloilo Airport is normal and is only being muddled by Java and his "principal."
"I have received a very reliable information that Mr. Java, at the instance of a high Ilonggo government official publicly known to have been harassing me in the past to favor another concessionaire, are poised to close the Iloilo Airport operations by whatever means, fair or foul, and paint me as the villain," Miaque claimed.