CLARK FREEPORT—The ongoing “turf war” inside the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), if left unabated, could derail the development of Clark International Airport into the country’s premier international gateway, the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) warned.
“This infighting and jostling for positions inside CIAC is a complete setback to the future of the Clark airport,” said PGKM Chairman Ruperto Cruz, referring to the expose launched by former Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan against CIAC President Victor Jose Luciano, who hails from Magalang, Pampanga.
He added, “This is a blatant and shameful tug-of-war obstructing the development of the Clark airport. One is reportedly aspiring to be a CIAC president while the other is seemingly struggling to retain his position.”
In an earlier interview with the media, Catacutan admitted having a disagreement with Luciano. The three-term mayor from Capas, Tarlac stressed that he was merely following orders from President Aquino who appointed Catacutan as vice president for operations some three months ago.
“[Luciano] wanted me to be vice president for business development because he thought my position was too complicated for me,” said Catacutan, who was quoted earlier in a newspaper report.
Cruz said that as far as the PGKM is concerned, “What is paramount to us is the full operations of the Clark airport. We do not care about political affiliations. What is important to us is to have someone that is knowledgeable, dedicated, and professional in running the airport here in Clark.”
“Clark has long been a ‘promise land’ for many politicians and even Philippine presidents who have promised to develop it, particularly the Clark International Airport. But until now, nothing concrete has happened inside the aviation complex, except for an expensive white elephant,” said Cruz, referring to the mothballed newly-constructed passenger terminal.
The purported infighting between Tarlac and Pampanga leaders stemmed after Catacutan charged Luciano for allegedly allowing the digging up of high-powered underground cables in a restricted area within the Clark Aviation Complex area.
Catacutan showed copies of two letters to the media, allegedly handwritten by Luciano, authorizing the four personnel of ACP Manpower, owned by one Josie Gomez, to enter certain areas within the complex. CIAC security personnel identified the suspects as Cesar Mayo, Jose Canete III, Nilo Padua and Rolly Padua.
In his report to CIAC Executive Vice President Bienvenido Manga, Catacutan said two kinds of cables were missing, one was about 275 meters long while the other 900 meters; both were valued at P2.6 million.
But Cruz said if Catacutan is really serious with his allegations against Luciano, “Then why didn’t he file formal charges at the Office of the Ombudsman and also file criminal charges against ACP Manpower personnel. Their actions are tantamount to sabotage, which is a criminal offense.”
Cruz said he was also baffled by the alleged decision of Luciano to let go of the four suspects from ACP Manpower despite the findings of the CIAC security force.
In Catacutan’s report, CIAC Airport Security Department Manager Jose Marlowe Pedragosa said theft charges could be filed against the four suspects for removing the cable wires along the airport’s runway. But the suspects were allowed to walk away without any charges filed against them.
