Philippines' Main Airport Fires Contractor Over Baggage Thefts
Fakhir Rizvi Published January 19, 2018 | 04:20 PM
Manila airport fired a major contractor and announced a raft of new security measures on Friday after a spate of baggage thefts at the main Philippine gateway once derided as the world's worst airport
Manila, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2018 ) :Manila airport fired a major contractor and announced a raft of new security measures on Friday after a spate of baggage thefts at the main Philippine gateway once derided as the world's worst airport.
President Rodrigo Duterte summoned airport authorities and the transport minister on Thursday and ordered them to put a stop to the thieving, Manila International Airport general manager Ed Monreal told reporters.
"I am really ashamed over what is happening, what our passengers are going through," Monreal said. "Let us all work together to stop these embarrassing incidents." Monreal said the airport would not renew the operating licence of one ground handling company serving 14 carriers after passengers on at least two flights lodged formal complaints over items stolen from their luggage.
It also ordered other contractors to equip baggage handlers and security personnel with body cameras, install closed circuit television in their working areas, and remove all pockets from their uniforms.
Monreal said surveillance footage had confirmed the pilferage, with authorities also finding evidence including "boots that allow them (suspects) to hide stuff at their feet".
The airport has filed criminal charges against a number of suspected thieves, he said without elaborating.
MIASCOR, the company that lost its Manila airport contract, did not reply to AFP's request for comment. Manila airport, also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport, says 20.4 million passengers used the hub last year.
It topped the list of worst airports on the travel website "The Guide to Sleeping in Airports" from 2011-2013, causing the government to make major renovations. Travellers have long criticised its "dilapidated facilities", dishonest airport workers, rude officials and long waiting times, the website said.
In 2015 the government investigated claims of an extortion racket involving security personnel planting bullets in passengers' luggage and demanding money not to press charges for illegal possession of bullets, punishable by up to 12 years in prison.
Officials said the extortion ended after the 2016 election of Duterte, a fiery politician who warned in his campaign speeches that he would force airport security personnel to eat any bullets they found in passenger luggage.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From World
-
Paris dream of swimming in the Seine finally within reach
11 minutes ago -
Portugal's Carnation Revolution, 50 years on
11 minutes ago -
Tough times for Argentine factories as consumers penny-pinch
21 minutes ago -
Use of alcohol and e-cigarettes among youth 'alarming': WHO
21 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Cup result
31 minutes ago -
Bird flu in humans? Experts see little risk
31 minutes ago
-
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
41 minutes ago -
Meta profits soar but costs of AI cause worry
41 minutes ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - collated
1 hour ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results - collated
1 hour ago -
Meta sees profits soar in first quarter
1 hour ago -
Battling mass tourism, Venice introduces day tickets
1 hour ago