CLARK FREEPORT—Officials of the airport workers’ union staged a rally at the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) corporate office at lunch break on Thursday, calling for a “no-nonsense” investigation of the alleged rampant pilferage at the aviation complex.
Marvin Pineda, president of the Samahang Manggagawa of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), led some 30 workers in a rally and motorcade, holding placards saying “Papanagutin ang mga sangkot sa lantarang nakawan sa CIAC.”
“We are not jumping into conclusions and pointing out anyone. We want a deep and real probe of the rampant stealing,” said Pineda.
CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano filed a leave of absence last week until Nov. 6 and asked for an “impartial probe” of the alleged missing P2.7-million power cables.
But Reynaldo Catacutan, CIAC vice president for operations, said Luciano reported for work on Thursday arriving at 7:30 a.m.
“Out of delicadeza, Luciano should have not reported for work and attended a meeting,” said Catacutan who exposed the alleged stealing of power cables at the airport’s runway.
In an interview on Wednesday night, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo said they will start the investigation of the missing power cables next week.
“In fairness, we will not single out Luciano in the investigation but whoever may be responsible for the reported rampant pilferages,” said Remollo, also acting chairman of the CIAC board.
Luciano failed to answer calls and SMS messages from the BusinessMirror for his comments. The CIAC public relations office has yet to issue statements as of press time.
Guards at the entrance to Luciano’s office stopped BusinessMirror correspondents from going to his office. They said “he [Luciano] went out for lunch.”
Remollo will be joined by the Office of the Transportation and Safety and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in the investigation to conduct an impartial and competent assessment of the runways, taxiways and the entire airfield following the disappearance of the power cables.
Catacutan blamed Luciano for the missing power cables as he issued two written notices asking airport guards to allow four men from Mabalacat town to have access at restricted areas in the complex.
Last year Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo filed a case before the Ombudsman against Luciano in connection with the alleged missing 17 warehouses at the aviation complex. The case is still pending before the Ombudsman.
