Daraga cops beef up security vs Bicol int’l airport threats

Local police in Daraga, Albay have vowed to double their efforts in securing the ongoing construction of Bicol International Airport (BIA) despite the insufficiency of manpower.

El Cid Roldan, Daraga chief of police, said they, along with the Daraga Security Council (DSC),will enforce and maintain strict security measures during the construction and operation of the international airport.

The Aviation Security Group also said it would deploy the necessary personnel and place respective substations in order to ensure the security of the airport and the safety of the people within and outside the premises.

Earlier, Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo had called on the authorities to strengthen security measures in the town to thwart any harassment or extortion activities from bandit groups, particularly from New People’s Army (NPA).

“The construction of the said airport was projected to be finished by 2016, but there were several cases of harassment from terrorist groups that stalled the process,” Baldo sad in a recent interview.

Baldo added that BIA, which is located in Barangay Alobo, is well under way and is estimated to go operational by 2020.

“Daraga’s economy is booming and as we are heading toward city status, we will make sure that additional security measures are implemented throughout the municipality,” Baldo said.

There were at least two incidents of harassment involving NPA rebels that occurred at the BIA.

On May 19, 2012, the insurgents set on fire 12 heavy equipment worth P76 million of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.

The second attack happened last year, when a group of NPA rebels attacked the Army detachment inside the international airport and torched 11 construction equipment parked along the runway using Molotov bombs.

The Department of Transportation and Communications earmarked P781 million to develop the international airport.

The BIA project includes the construction of landside facilities and several buildings, including the operation and control tower.

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