PNP agency’s interoperability key to securing PH airports
INTEROPERABILITY among all government agencies that can be only tested during simulation exercises is the key to ensure safety and security in all airports in the country, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) director, Brigadier General Christopher N. Abrahano said last Saturday.
The official said this as they continue the conduct of talks and actual interoperability exercises with their counterparts to further enhance their response to various security threats at all Philippine airports.
The AVSEGROUP is responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to air travel in the Philippines’ 88 airports.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the largest airport in the country and the primary international gateway into the country.
Apart from the NAIA, the other international airports guarded by the AVSEGROUP are the Clark, Davao, Laoag, Mactan-Cebu, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Bohol-Panglao, Albay, General Santos City, Subic Bay and Zamboanga City.
The unit also guards 40 principal airports which serve domestic destinations.
This month, the AVSEGROUP spearheaded an inter-agency exercise on acts of unlawful interference in a bid to further enhance safety and security on these facilities.
The tabletop exercise at the NAIA Terminal 3 was designed to prepare all concerned agencies and stakeholders in the event of any worst-case scenario.
The exercise scenario involved a hijacking incident on a flight from Hong Kong bound for Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
Brig. Gen. Abrahano was behind the initiative to further boost the AVSEGROUP’s ability to ‘prevent, prepare and respond’ to security threats in the airports.
Officials from the New NAIA Infra Corporation, Manila International Airport Authority, Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Office for Transportation Security, the Pasay and Parañaque City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Special Operations Group, the Philippine Air Force 710th Special Operations Wing and various airport operators participated in the tabletop exercise.
Other officials who joined the exercise were Undersecretary Crizaldo O. Nievez of the DOTR-OTS, Ramon A. Ragasa of the NNIC, OTS Director Eugenio B. Paguirigan, MIAA-APD chief Levy R. Jose, AFP-JSOG official Lieutenant Col. Carl D. Liwanag and PAL Express security manager Jorge Amba.
Brig. Gen. Abrahano said the strong partnership between government agencies and airport authorities contributed to the event’s resounding success.
He also expressed gratitude to the participating public servants and emphasized the importance of continuing such activities to ensure the safety and security of passengers, stakeholders and airport users.
Last month, the AVSEGROUP and their counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines also held a joint interoperability exercise aimed at enhancing their response to various security threats in our airports.
Brig. Gen. Abrahano said the activity featured various simulations designed to replicate real-world challenges aimed to strengthen interoperability, capabilities and trust and cooperation between the PNP and the AFP units assigned to secure all international and domestic airports in the Philippines by sharing experiences, knowledge and skills.
The exercises at the Bottom Ramp of the Subic Bay International Airport in Morong, Bataan were observed by officers from the JSOG of the AFP, the 710 SOW of the PAF led by Brig. Gen. Antonio Z. Francisco and representatives from the Quezon City Police District Special Weapons and Tactics.
Brig. Gen. Abrahano said that the interoperability exercises have been designed to ensure that the PNP and AFP participants will operate in harmony and as a team with the end in view of successfully finishing each mission to ensure national security.
