CIAC president-CEO Atty. Emigdio “Dino” P. Tanjuatco III ordered a review of the Airport Access Control Security Procedures after an unauthorized person managed to reach the airport ramp by evading security personnel.
A former airport executive described the incident as a serious security breach following an access control security lapse which allowed an unauthorized individual to reach the restricted areas of this airport.
Tanjuatco said a security audit and thorough assessment of the airport security program will be conducted by the Airport Security Quality Control Offi ce (ASQCO).
Tanjuatco assured the traveling public that despite the incident, “everything is under control and steps are being undertaken to enhance existing airport security measures and procedures.”
A report from the CIAC Airport Security Police Department said that on August 3, Jonah Howell Melo, 34, of Camelia Subdivision, Imus, Cavite, entered the airport terminal building through the arrival exit lobby reportedly looking for his wife whom he assumed as an arriving passenger.
Melo ascended to the second fl oor of the terminal, advanced to the boarding bridge and exited down to the north ramp through the boarding bridge ladder and approached the aircraft.
Melo was apprehended by airport and airline security as he moved towards the departure exit gate.
The suspect was turned-over to the PNP-Aviation Security Unit 3 (AVSEU3) for further investigation and filing of charges. Melo is currently detained at nearby Mabalacat City Jail.
The PNP-AVSEU3 and the Clark Airport Security Police Department are conducting separate investigations of the incident.
Meanwhile, three airport security personnel were relieved from their present assignment while several others were reassigned following the incident.
