DAVAO CITY – Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has called on President Aquino to do drastic actions to put an end to the “tanim-bala” scam at the airports.
“I’d like to call the attention of the president. He must do something about it immediately. The president should order the relief of all officials and employees connected to the CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines), the aviation command including those in the porter services and the drivers,” said Duterte Monday evening after paying a visit at the graves of his departed parents at the Davao Catholic Cemetery.
The mayor said a syndicate is operating at the airports involving porters, drivers and the police.
“Mr. President, I think they have crossed the red line. You must do something drastic about it. Lip service is not enough Mr. President. Dapat yariin mo silang lahat because it has given us a bad name and has placed the Filipino people in jeopardy,” Duterte said.
Duterte said that he has been a loyal supporter of President Aquino and that for the last five years of Aquino administration he has asked no favor from the president.
“I asked you nothing before, not even a project or whatsoever, but I demand that as President you must do something about it,” he pointed out.
Duterte also suggested that the president can do such drastic move during the five-day suspension of flights, from Nov. 15 to 20 in preparation for the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
The mayor also proposed to the president that the army and the members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and even the cops from the provinces can temporarily take over the responsibilities of the relieved police and ground personnel of NAIA. (ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ)