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THE
president of
Palau
refused to board his scheduled flight bound for
Guam on Wednesday
night after personnel of an airline insisted that he and
his wife undergo “basic passenger profiling” prior to
boarding the aircraft.
Palau
President Tommy Remengesau did not board Continental
Airlines plane, which took off at about midnight
Wednesday, and returned to his hotel, together with his
wife Debbie and their lawyer.
However,
the aircraft was forced to return to the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport after an unidentified caller told
aviation authorities that there was a bomb aboard the
Boeing 737 airplane.
The
plane, with 136 passengers aboard, returned at 1:25 a.m.
Upon arrival, all of the passengers were ordered to
debark while the plane was inspected in a remote area of
the airport tarmac. No bomb was found and the plane
eventually left at 4:55 a.m. on Thursday.
Before
boarding his chartered plane at the Villamor Air Base on
Thursday, where he was given military honors, Remengesau
issued a statement saying that he had a “highly
successful state visit” to the Philippines, the first
official state visit by Palau’s head of state in 24
years.
“Unfortunately, the
Philippines’
effort to extend proper protocol to the President upon
departure was thwarted by the airline’s representative
in Manila,” Remengesau said.
“I would
have expected that the airline would honor
internationally recognized protocols regarding heads of
states, as well as show some sensitivity to our Pacific
culture.”
He added
that he was aware of security concerns that airlines
face and supports their efforts to keep flying safe,
“but there must be some room for the exercise of common
sense in all decisions, and there must be respect for
the dignity of the highest level of government.”
Remengesau said that he intends to bring the issue with
the regional airlines serving Palau as well as the US
Transportation Safety Administration, “so that we can
ensure respect and culturally appropriate treatment
accorded heads of state that will visit Palau.”
He said
that he would not allow the unfortunate turn of events
to tarnish an otherwise highly successful and memorable
visit to the Philippines, and hope to host President
Arroyo and her delegation in Palau soon.
The
airport row did not affect the relations between the US
and Palau, which is an American protectorate, but soured
relations between the island republic and the US air
carrier, according to Onie Nakpil, president of the
Airline Operators Council.
Airport
sources said Remengesau refused to answer questions by a
Transportation Security Administration agent, as part of
a profiling method, invoking his prerogative as a head
of state.
He was
supported in his stand by Vice President Noli de Castro;
Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog, Air Force commander; and
ranking Department of Foreign Affairs officials who were
at the airport to send off Remengesau.
On the
other hand, Continental Airlines country manager Maxi
Cabantug insisted that US aviation laws require all
customers to comply with security procedures.
Cabantug
was quoted as saying she had prior instructions that all
passengers bound for the US mainland and US trust
territories had to undergo body frisking or profiling in
the case of dignitaries. “The only exceptions are the
president of the United States and the US Ambassador to
the Philippines Kristie Kenney,” Cabantug said.
In the
wake of the controversy, Continental Airlines issued a
statement from its headquarters in
Guam, saying it
never compromises the safety of its passengers and
aircraft.
“US
aviation law requires that all customers comply with
security procedures in order to board a flight,” the
statement said, adding that “unfortunately, CO had no
choice but to deny boarding of the President and his
party to ensure the safety and on-time operation of the
flight.
CO added
that elevated level of security has been implemented at
the Manila airport and all passengers need to take this
security check without exception. |
