DAVAO CITY (October 2) —Who is lying, the video footages or partylist ACTS OFW Congressman Anecito “John” Bertiz?
This question has been raised as the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) authorities carefully reviewed the two footages of closed circuit television (CCTV) relative to the September 30 incident involving Bertiz and his claim that Chinese-looking persons were given VIP treatment.
In a report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), General Manager Ed Monreal said, after repeatedly watching the 20-minute video, he did not see any evidence on the claim of Bertiz that there were Chinese-looking passengers escorted by “NAIA staff” who did not undergo the proper security check.
The same report indicated that Monreal reviewed two CCTV footages – one from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and another from the MIAA’s surveillance camera.
“I watched the footage 20 minutes prior to the incident, and I’ve seen no Chinese-looking persons were assisted,” Monreal said.
Last Sunday, a soundless video showing Bertiz at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) went viral, as he did not take off his shoes in compliance to the airport security protocol. Instead, he harassed and forcibly snatched the security checker’s identified as Hamilton Abdul.
Bertiz earlier claimed he called the attention of NAIA security checker after Chine-looking nationals were allowed to pass the security area without being checked.
The Congress representative issued a public apology over the incident last Monday.
Monreal said that if Bertiz could show any evidence regarding his allegation, then they look into it especially because he claimed that those assisting were ‘NAIA staff.’
As a courtesy, Monreal said, MIAA issues IDs to Congress representative, Philippine National Police officers, diplomatic corps, and those who provide security to the President.
Monreal stressed, the MIAA only gives VIP treatment to the President, but clarified that the President does not ask for VIP treatment and even follows all the security protocols.
Bertiz, according to Monreal, does not have the right to confiscate the security personnel’s ID.
Undersecretary Arturo Evanglista, administrator of the Office of Transport Security (OTS) has earlier said all incoming passengers should comply with the security protocols.
Evangelista said “We have to understand that the rules and regulations set in our airports cannot be swayed to accommodate to the call of the situation and much more to tailor itself to the caprices of certain people.”
He added “We know how complex and frustrating airport security can be at times, but security screening is ultimately the basic and paramount rule to which all airport passengers and users must conform to before they will be allowed access to the aircraft.”-ezc/NewsLine.ph
