Escudero calls for aviation reform after Alice Guo reportedly left PH

Dismissed Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday emphasized the need for a general aviation terminal to bolster security measures for private planes following the reported departure of dismissed Tarlac town mayor Alice Guo from the country.

“Madaling lusutan dahil wala tayong general aviation terminal, so napakadaling lusutan kung saka-sakali. Basta may pera ka madali kang makakalabas ng bansa, makakabalik din. Ika nga, lamang lagi ang mayaman sa ganyang klaseng sitwasyon,” said Escudero in an ambush interview in Pasay City when asked on Guo’s evading of law enforcement agencies.

(It’s easy to slip through because we don’t have a general aviation terminal, so it’s very easy to slip through if ever. As long as you have money, you can easily leave the country and you can also come back. I mean, the rich always have an advantage in that kind of situation.)

READ: Alice Guo’s escape: BI, CAAP must be held accountable, says Gatchalian

Escudero noted that he had already questioned the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) about the absence of such a facility in the country during previous Senate hearings.

“Nakatatlong budget deliberations na, lima pa nga noong aka’y naging Senador, siningil ko ang CAAP, siningil ko ang DOTr, kaugnay sa kawalan natin ng general aviation terminal, mula noong inimbento ang airport dito sa Pilipinas,” Escudero said.

(There have been three budget deliberations, even five when I was a Senator, I asked the CAAP, I asked the DOTr on our lack of a general aviation terminal since the airport was invented here in the Philippines.)

Escudero also said that, due to absence of such a facility, private planes could evade inspection from the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“Dahil sa ngayon, sinumang may private plane, yung mga mayayaman ika nga, ay pupunta lamang sa hangar nila ipapadala ‘yung passport nila, papatatakan, sasakay sila sa lounge nila, at sasakay sa eroplano para umalis,” Escudero said.

(Because right now, anyone who has a private plane, the rich ones, that is, would only go to their hangar, bring their passport, get it stamped, go to the lounge, and board the plane to leave.)

“Pag landing babalik ng Pilipinas, ganoon ulit. Bababa sa kanyang hangar, at papasok na sa kanyang kotse, wala nang nagi-inspeksyong customs, wala nang nagi-inspeksyon na immigration,” he added.

(After landing back in the Philippines, it’s the same situation. They will go down from their hangar, and then into the car without customs inspections, and no more immigration inspections.)

Guo is reportedly out of the country since July 18, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros, but the mayor’s camp insisted she is still in the country.

The former mayor, who has been the subject of scrutiny over her alleged ties to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators  in Bamban town, was found to be owning a helicopter, according to documents gathered by Hontiveros’ office.

READ: BI’s lookout order can’t prevent Guo from leaving PH – PNP

An immigration lookout bulletin order was issued by BI against Guo last June, but Philippine National Police chief Col. Jean Fajardo said only a hold departure order issued by the court could prevent Guo from leaving the country.

Malacañang has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to revoke the Philippine passport of Guo.

Meanwhile, Escudero said he will ask San Miguel Corporation (SMC), who is tasked to oversee the Ninoy Aquino International Airport rehabilitation, for a general aviation terminal.

“Isa ‘yan sa mga plano kong sabihin at i-demand, at sa pagkakaalam ko ay gagawin niya (SMC) na magkaroon ng general aviation terminal sa ating bansa,” he said.

(That is one of my plans, to say and demand, and as far as I know, they will see to it by having a general aviation terminal in our country.)

Escudero added that the SMC plans to transform an old airport building to a general aviation terminal.