Iloilo Airport enhances security measures

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo is enhancing its security measures following the recent attacks in Mindanao, according to Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Iloilo Terminal Supervisor Art Parreño.

Parreño said they have increased their number of guards at the airport gates.

“We decided to increase the number of guards at the gates particularly in the first gate and in the main gate towards the airport,” he said.

The inspection in the ground floor area and even in the final inspection in the third floor will be a little stricter, Parreño added.

“Ang tanan nga mga unauthorized objects will be confiscated. This is our way of target hardening for any acts of terrorism kon may ara gid man” he said.

Aside from the increase of guards in the gates of the airport, reporting and communication system of the security personnel will also be enhanced, according to Parreño.

“Pag may suspicious persons i-inform ang main gate then vehicles will be checked. Yesterday, we sent SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams as part of our proactive measures against attacks sa Mindanao,” he said.

With the stricter security measures, Parreño appealed to the passengers especially with huge baggage to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight.

“This is not ordinary times, we indulge and request all passengers especially with a lot of cargo and baggage to come early to avoid traffic congestion and para may problema sa check in and baggage and authorized nga mga ginadala, they could work on it prior to the last call of boarding,” he noted.

The Iloilo International Airport operates up to 60 flights per day, catering to 4,000 passengers for departure per day, according to Parreño.