THE Manila International Airport Authority on Saturday urged passengers not to bring firearms and other prohibited items, such as live ammunition and amulet, when traveling to avoid flight delays, especially this Holy Week when the number of air travelers are expected to increase.
The authorities also reminded the people traveling by air to secure documents, particularly a permit to transport from the Philippine National Police, when bringing guns and ammunition during their trips.
The MIAA came up with the reminder after the recent apprehension of a 42-year-old passenger who was caught carrying one piece of M-16 live ammunition at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.
The passenger Domingo Graganza was about to board a Philippine Airlines PR-310 flight to Hong Kong when x-ray scanning operator Leo Oxciano and baggage inspector Ross Katigbak noticed something inside his luggage during initial checking at the terminal’s departure area.
The MIAA x-ray scanning personnel, in the presence of Police-Aviation Security Group officer SPO1 Crismael Daro, told Graganza to open his luggage where the ammunition was discovered.
“The passenger was allowed by the PNP to check-in after confiscating the said ammunition,” an official of the MIAA Media Affairs Division said.
The Firearms and Explosives Office of the PNP is the police unit handling clearances for passengers who wish to bring guns and ammunition when traveling. The FEO will issue the passenger’s Permit to Transport, the basic requirement for a passenger to be allowed to bring a gun in-flight.
The said office also issues other related documents depending on the purpose of transport such as a License to Operate, Importation Permit, Authorization to Export, and a Certificate of Balance.
On the date of departure, coordination will be made by the FEO with the Avsegroup firearm facilitator deployed to the airport.
After approaching the police desk at the airport, the passenger will be accompanied by the facilitator to the Customs area for clearance before the passenger is checked-in for the flight.
Coordination is made with the proper authorities, including the Avsegroup and the Office for Transportation Security, in making sure that procedures are followed.
While the authorities are keeping to procedure, passengers should be diligent enough to inquire with their airline and the country of destination as to their own policies regarding the transport of guns and ammunition.
Stricter security measure is now being enforced at the Naia to ensure the safety of passengers going to and from Manila in connection with the observance of Lent.
“Preparations are in place to make sure that traveling will be as hassle-free as possible this Holy Week. We advise passengers to prepare accordingly as well especially as they travel to the airport,” MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said.
Concerned government agencies operating at the airport—including the Office for Transportation Security, and the Bureaus of Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine —have also been directed to deploy sufficient personnel at their stations to ensure smooth passenger flow.
Both the Airport Police Department and the Avsegroup will be assigned to secure the immediate premises of the airport by means of, among others, K9 units.
For any concern, passengers may approach airport staff at the help desks.