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Friday, March 29, 2024

Don’t bring firearms to Naia–MIAA

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General manager Eddie Monreal of the Manila International Airport Authority reiterated his call to air travelers not to bring firearms and other prohibited items such as live ammunition and amulet during their trips to avoid flight delays.

Security personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport continue apprehending passengers carrying guns and bullets despite the much publicized ban and numerous warnings about the danger of bringing in or carrying the prohibited items.

On Thursday, Monreal said, airport personnel caught a woman in possession of a .38 caliber revolver while she was at the initial screening check point at Departure Gate 6 of Naia Terminal 3.

Monreal said the departing passenger identified as Grace Castro was stopped by Office for Transportation Security officers Marry Grace Gangani (X-ray operator) and Dennis Lopez (frisker) for inspection when images of bullets were seen on her bag after it passed the X-ray security machine.

He said that the OTS personnel confiscated and turned over the prohibited items to the PNP-Aviation Security Group for proper documentation and disposition.

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PNP-Avsegroup officials 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. 

Avsegroup director Dionardo Carlos said he instructed his men to enforce strict screening procedure at all airports in the country in line with the implementation of Oplan Sandigan, the intensified anti-criminality campaign of the PNP under the leadership of its Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

Carlos advised air travelers to be more extra careful in handling their baggage and ensure they are not carrying security risk and prohibited items that would prevent them from boarding their flights.

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 also being enforced at the NAIA by flag carrier Philippine Airlines for its US-bound flights, specifically, from Manila to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam, as well as PAL flights from Vancouver to New York (JFK).

The move is in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security for all flights operating from the last point of departure to the United States.

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