MIAA chief Honrado says he will not resign unless ‘appointing authority’ asks him to

(Updated 8:14 p.m.) Despite calls from several lawmakers for his ouster, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado said he will not resign unless the "appointing authority" tells him to do so.

"'Pag sinabi ng appointing authority na mag-resign na, not a minute longer, not a second longer," Honrado said in an interview on GMA News TV's QRT on Monday.

He added, however: "I respect the opinion of our lawmakers, lalo na't magagaling na mambabatas ito... Pero kung sila [ang magsasabi], magdadalawang-isip ako."

Calls for Honrado's resignation and ouster mounted following reports on the so-called "laglag bala" extortion racket being perpetrated by some airport personnel against travellers and overseas of Filipino workers (OFWs).

Honrado said that as general manager, he "will accept responsibility, but not accountability," as the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) -- which is involved in screening luggage -- "is a single authority on passenger screening and cargo screening."

"Wala kaming say doon," he said. "Nakikipagtulungan kami sa kanila kung ano pang kailangang gawin diyan, with the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communication) on top of the situation dahil OTS is directly under them."

He also said that he wants to find out "at what point in time" during the x-ray screening is one able to "plant" a bullet in a passenger's luggage.

"Alam mo, kapag nagpunta ka sa airport, makita mo 'yung screening, talagang magtataka ka -- at what point in time na 'pag nilagay ng pasahero 'yung bag niya sa x-ray, up to the point na lumabas sa x-ray, at what point mo puwedeng sabihing tinaniman 'yan ng bala?" Honrado said.

He added: "'Yun ang gusto kong malaman at makita rin."

Honrado then appealed to passengers to "be very vigilant" amid the situation.

On Sunday, three lawmakers urged President Benigno Aquino III to fire Honrado over the growing number of travelers victimized by the alleged "laglag-bala" scheme.

The scheme involves the discreet dropping of bullets, supposedly by airport personnel, into the bags of unwitting passengers to extort money from them upon apprehension.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chair of the House committee on labor, took Honrado to task for the supposed negligence and insensitivity he has shown in downplaying the gravity of the situation.

He added that the reputation of the administration might suffer if Aquino retains Honrado in his post.

Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz, meanwhile, said Honrado must be removed from office before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader's Summit from November 18 to 19.

For his part, OFW Family Club party-list Rep. Roy Señeres is asking the President to order a revamp of the entire MIAA, OTS, and PNP-AVSECO.

On Monday, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya reiterated that OTS officers are required to arrest passengers found with live ammunition in their baggage, even if it’s just one bullet.

If the bullet were just an empty shell, which according to Abaya is a popular souvenir, then OTS officers simply confiscate it without making any arrests, the secretary said in an interview with Arnold Clavio on Unang Hirit.

Abaya also said on Friday in an interview with GMA News TV's QRT that they are already investigating the reports on the "laglag-bala" scheme.

"Iniimbestigahan namin ['yung reports]," Abaya said. "Dahil kung mayroon man ito, dapat hindi mangyari. Dapat itigil dahil mali naman talaga gawin ito."

MIAA spokesman David de Castro, meanwhile, said focus must be on sacking officers who will be found to be directly involved in the scheme.

He also said they have revoked the access passes of at least 40 personnel from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) who are facing investigation over various complaints against them.

These include complaints over the "laglag-bala" scheme, extortion issues, while others "just didn't follow procedures." —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KBK, GMA News