MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday called on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to beef up its security following the media coverage of her family departing for Germany during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and Habagat last July.
At the Senate hearing on the proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the Vice President, Duterte said she and her staff have identified the person who took the video as a media person covering NAIA.
“Alam namin kung sino siya. We have footage na kumukuha siya ng cellphone footage,” she said.
She said that being covered while departing with her family was a concern for safety. Asserting that the person was neither a passenger nor an airport staff, the Vice president called on the airport authorities to improve their security.
“‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi ko. If you want to have a world-class airport, dapat world class din yung security natin. Hindi siya pasahero,” she said.
It was not clear why Duterte considered a mediaman taking her photos a breach of security.
Taking photos and videos at the security areas and immigration counters at the NAIA however, there are no strict rules at public areas like boarding gates and passenger waiting areas.
Duterte’s family trip drew flak because her departure coincided with the devastation of Typhoon Carina and Habagat.
In July Duterte linked the publication of her family’s departure photos to the recall of her 75 police personnel security detail.
Her office however said the Office of the Vice President was among the first to distribute help to the evacuees.
