Senate Calls for General Aviation Terminals to Prevent Unmonitored Departures Like Alice Guo Escape

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito has urged the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to establish general aviation terminals at airports. This measure aims to prevent unmonitored departures similar to the recent case involving dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

“Kinakailangan siguro, maglagay ng general aviation terminal para hindi lang plain sight. Kapag VIP kasi diretso sa eroplano, pumupunta ang Bureau of Customs, BI, and [Bureau of] Quarantine via plain sight,” Ejercito said in an interview with Super Radyo DzBB. (It may be necessary to set up a general aviation terminal so it’s not just in plain sight. When it’s a VIP, they go directly to the plane, and the Bureau of Customs, BI, and Bureau of Quarantine only see it in plain sight.)

Ejercito further emphasized, “Dapat magtayo ng terminal para sa general aviation na lahat ay dadaan doon. May CCTV para alam kung sino ang mga sumasakay ng private planes. Dapat dito walang exemption.” (There should be a terminal for general aviation where everyone must pass through. There should be CCTV to know who is boarding private planes. There should be no exemptions here.)

He expressed hope that the new management of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, led by San Miguel’s New NAIA Infra Corp., and other airports nationwide will implement such terminals to address the issues raised by Guo’s departure.

“’Di na kailangan ng legislation. Policy lang ‘yan, order lang ‘yan sa CAAP, BI, at lahat involved na ahensya na dapat magkaroon ng safety measure para ‘di maulit (‘yung kay Guo),” Ejercito said. (There is no need for legislation. A policy or an order will suffice. CAAP, BI, and all involved agencies must implement safety measures so that Guo’s case doesn’t happen again.)

Ejercito suggested that Guo might have used a private plane as one of her means of escaping the country. The Bureau of Immigration reported that Guo left the Philippines without going through BI authorities.

During a Senate hearing, Guo revealed that she departed the country using boats, including a yacht. CAAP stated it has instructed its center and airport managers to ensure that all departing and arriving passengers at CAAP-operated airports meet the required documentation and security standards.

Read related article: Alice Guo Allegedly Offered P1 Billion to Filipino-Chinese Businessman to Resolve Legal Issues