The military may take over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport if the current airport operations do not improve, President Duterte warned the other day.
The President raised the possibility of tapping the Philippine Air Force to lead the airport operations after citing the same military strategy applied to clean up the corruption-tainted Bureau of Customs.
“‘Yang NAIA na ‘yan ‘pag hindi kayo nag-improve diyan, magtake-over diyan Air Force. ‘Yan lang ang paraan diyan,” the President said during the administration party PDP-Laban campaign rally in Palawan.
Duterte, however, did not elaborate on his latest possible move to enhance airport efficiency during his speech.
NAIA, the country’s main international gateway in Manila, has been plagued with congestion and inefficiency problems over the years. While the government moved to decongest the airport and find alternative hubs, the President previously threatened to relieve airport and security personnel if another bullet-planting or “tanim-bala” incident happens at the airport.
In the same speech in Palawan, the President explained that he has tapped the military to help fight corruption and smuggling in the Customs bureau. The directive was made after two large shipments of illegal drugs slipped past through the port of Manila last year.
Duterte admitted that he directed Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero, a former military general, to shoot smugglers on sight. He said people could attempt to smuggle goods but should not complain if they get shot.
“Ang sinabi nila ‘yang Customs hindi daw talaga maayos. Ang order ko kay Guerrero ganito, ‘Palitan mo lahat ‘yang mga guwardiya na ‘yan at kung may mahuli ka, makita kayo ng smuggler, barilin ninyo, patayin ninyo at sabi ninyo ako ang nag-utos,’ he said. “‘Pag hindi pa kayo maghinto, barilin mo,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)
