The United States Department of Homeland Security has issued a travel warning for its citizens to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) due for the gateway’s failure to meet aviation security measures.
In a photo posted by Jude Talamera Ye on Facebook, the travel advisory reads: “Passengers are advised that the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, does not maintain and carry out effective aviation security measures.”
Netizens who replied to the post said that the same signage is displayed in other airports in the United States.
However, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal earlier said that the management has started the improvements in the security system at the NAIA this year.
“We already have more than 20 x-ray machines. We’re starting to replace the old ones. It’s an additional requirement (in the international aviation standards),” he said.
Monreal explained that based on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards, single view x-ray machines can no longer be used at the airports.
Grifton Medina, Immigration Port Operations Division chief, said that security was among the management’s focus in 2018.
“We conduct continuous training and inter-agency coordination with other countries or interpol (international police),” he added.
Medina explained that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is connected 24/7, live, with the Interpol.
For three years now, the Philippines has retained the Tier 1, which is the highest level of security, according to Medina.
“Tier 1 indicates the highest security level in terms of the country’s campaign against human trafficking. That means we are very strict, and we implement what’s in the regulations. The Philippines is the only country in the ASEAN region that has the Tier 1 status,” he added.
