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DOTr chief: NAIA molotov blast could be bid to stop privatization

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/09/04/20151102-naia-airport-jc-7340.jpg"/><figcaption>Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATE</strong>) — Groups opposed to privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport may be behind the molotov blast at the parking lot of Terminal 3 over the weekend, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.</p><p>Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Bautista said that he has assured potential investors that it was an isolated incident.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung iba naman diyan ay ayaw sigurong matuloy ang privatization natin. Kasi may mga vested interest yung iba-ibang grupo,&quot; he said.</p><p>(Some groups might be opposed to our privatization... These groups have vested interests.)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/23/23/blast-hits-open-parking-in-naia-terminal-3">Blast hits open parking in NAIA Terminal 3</a></li></ul><p>The incident has shown lax security in that area of NAIA, including a lack of security cameras.</p><p>Bautista said that the contract to privatize NAIA operations would include putting up more security measures like CCTV cameras.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/24/23/naia-parking-na-pinagsabugan-ng-molotov-bomb-walang-cctv-sekyu">NAIA parking na pinagsabugan ng molotov bomb, walang CCTV, sekyu</a></li></ul><div><strong>INSIDE JOB POSSIBLE</strong></div><p>Bautista did not discount that the incident, which damaged the paint on three vehicles parked there, was an inside job.</p><p>&quot;Isa yan sa mga tinitingnan natin. Sabi ko nga, maraming grupo na ayaw nilang matuloy itong ating programa na &#x27;to and posible na isa yan sa kanilang mga ginagawang aksyon,&quot; he said.</p><p>(That is one angle we are looking at. As I said, there are many groups who do not want this program to happen and it&#x27;s possible that that is one of the actions that they have taken.)</p><p>He said the Pasay police is helping with the investigation and that the transportation department will also seek assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2817166" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div><strong>PRIVATIZATION</strong></div><p>Talks of privatizing NAIA were revived after a glitch took down the air traffic management system on New Year&#x27;s Day.</p><p>Thousands were stranded and Philippine airspace was empty for hours as airport authorities rushed to resume operations.</p><p>&quot;We have always pushed for privatization not just of the air traffic control system but of the airport itself,&quot; Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the public services committee, said in <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/09/23/high-time-to-privatize-naia-following-new-year-airspace-fiasco-poe">January</a>, saying this would be more efficient.</p><p>Opponents of airport privatization worry that it will lead to job losses and to higher airport fees as the operator tries to recoup its investment in NAIA. </p><p>Senators, including JV Ejercito and Risa Hontiveros, earlier this year said that contracting NAIA operations out may have national security implications and does not guarantee better airport services.</p><div><strong>TEMPTATION</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Ejercito told ANC on Monday that Office for Transportation Security administrator Ma.O Aplasca has urged him to file a bill to improve airport personnel&#x27;s benefits and salary.</p><p>He said this is to limit temptation among NAIA employees after an airport screener was caught swallowing cash allegedly stolen from a traveler.</p><p>&quot;That all boils down to… poverty. The compensation is not really that enough compared to other countries,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;We have to look into that, the compensation, the benefits, and culture has to be changed,&quot; Ejercito added.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/23/23/ots-tightens-procedure-seeks-better-pay-to-prevent-airport-theft">OTS tightens procedure, seeks better pay to prevent airport theft</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/21/23/naia-thievery-how-is-ots-screening-potential-employees">NAIA thievery: How is OTS screening potential employees?</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/22/23/4-airport-screeners-probed-over-alleged-naia-thievery">4 airport screeners probed over alleged NAIA thievery</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nR25qqNLBCE?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Bautista said that he has assured potential investors that it was an isolated incident.