President Gloria Arroyo fumed over the lax security measures being imposed at the capital's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during a surprise visit at the facility's two passenger terminals yesterday.
Arroyo gave Edgardo Manda, NAIA general manager, a "severe tongue lashing" upon discovery of the airport's dismal security.
"What security are you talking about? I don't see any security. They just enter and leave. I see no security," she was heard yelling at Manda who admitted to reporters that he was caught literally "off guard" by the President's unannounced visit.
"I did not know that the President was dropping by for a visit. It was a surprise and I am very surprised," Manda said.
Arroyo said that although NAIA is considered world class in terms of security, she just wanted to make sure that the area outside the airport is also just as safe.
"You remember what happened at Davao City International Airport, it was not the terminal itself that was bombed but the area outside where the passengers relatives are waiting," she told reporters.
A powerful bomb explosion, suspected to have been carried by one of the fatalities, killed a total of 24 and injured more than 150 in southern Davao City on March 4.
Most of the casualties were well wishers awaiting the arrival of their relatives from arriving flights and a few airport employees.
The incident has been blamed on the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but the rebels denied involvement in the incident. During her inspection yesterday, Arroyo faulted Manda for not conducting security checks on arriving cars and vans.
"I asked and was told that no one is checking. If there was an attack, we would all be dead," Arroyo said angrily.
She added: "We must stop each and every car upon entry".
The already security-conscious Philippine government, which has dealt with attacks from local extremist groups in the past is now even more fearful of sympathy bombings following the start of a war in Iraq.
The country has been seen as one of the most eager allies of the United States against its global war against terrorism and this eagerness has not been welcomed by extremist groups not only in the Philippines but over south-east Asia which is considered the second front in the U.S.-led campaign against extremism.
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