CCTV cameras everywhere except massacre site at NAIA terminal 3

Even small stores and private homes already use closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) for security. But the country's newest international airport terminal, which services 4.5 million passengers every year, has yet to follow suit.

A functioning security camera at the loading bay of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 could have helped identify the motorcycle-riding assassins of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa on Friday morning.

A report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion said a CCTV camera installed at the area was not working at the time of the shooting incident, which happened during the peak season for Chrismas holiday travelers.

Talumpa's wife Lea, his nephew Salipudin Talumpa, and 18-month-old baby Phil Thomas Lirasan were also killed in the attack while four others were wounded, officials said.

The killers managed to flee the crime scene with ease.



Without the aid of CCTV cameras, investigators will have to bank on physical evidence and statements of shocked witnesses to get a clear picture of the crime. Eyewitnesses recorded the aftermath of the shootings on their mobile phones, but no amateur video has emerged of the crime itself.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado admitted that security cameras have yet to be installed near the airport's loading bay, which he described as a “public” and “non-restricted” area.

“'Yung CCTVs ng Terminal 3 is under contract na pinirmahan ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) last November pa... Underway ngayon yung systems check,” Honrado said in an interview over GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon."

Last year, a brawl involving columnist Mon Tulfo and celebrity couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto already exposed the absence of functioning CCTV cameras inside NAIA-3.

Well-planned killing

General Jesus Gordon Descanzo, manager of the airport police department, also confirmed that CCTV cameras have only been installed inside the airport building, and not at the public loading area where Talumpa was shot dead.

He said the killing of Talumpa, who had survived two previous attacks, appeared to be well-planned.  

“Alam nila kung kailan at saan lalabas iyong target. Alam nila kung saan walang CCTV. Alam din nila kung saan sila e-exit after the attack,” Descanzo said in a separate phone interview.

Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesman of the country's police chief, said the investigation on the shooting incident will not be hampered by the lack of a CCTV footage.

“Kung may witnesses naman na makukuha natin ang statement, makakatulong ito ng malaki sa imbestigasyon sa nangyaring krimen,” Mayor said in a television interview.

But an eyewitness description of the killers' physical appearance obviously cannot match the accuracy of an actual image from CCTV cameras.

'Random' security check

Descanzo also admitted that the suspects in the shooting incident got past the “random” security check on vehicles entering the airport compound, which usually consists of a cursory look at vehicle passengers and motorcycle riders. There were also reports that the killers were dressed in law enforcement uniforms.

“Visual check lang ito. Parang 'yung mga checkpoint kapag eleksyon. Kung papababain namin at iche-check lahat ng pasahero bago makapasok sa airport, imagine kung gaano katinding traffic mangyayari,” he said.

Descanzo added that airport security officials tried to corner the gunman, who quickly rode a motorcycle driven by an accomplice, but could not do so because the loading bay was crowded.

“Maraming tao. They could not open fire. Baka mas maraming madamay,” he said.

He added that law enforcers chased the killers but got caught up in traffic.



Mandatory check on motorcycles

Descanzo said he is considering mandatory security checks on all passengers entering the airport compound through motorcycles.

“Kakaunti lang naman iyon so I think this is doable. We will coordinate with the PNP [Philippine National Police] para sila ang mag-check doon sa mga naka-police uniform,” he said.

The airport police chief added that the NAIA-3 management will recruit more security officials next year.

“Kulang talaga kami sa tao. Mayroon kaming naka-assign sa traffic. Mayroon pa doon sa firearms booth,” he said.

“Kahit naman gaano ka-perfect ang security mo may makalusot pa rin. Si President [John F.] Kennedy nga na-assassinate sa US, di ba? So we are looking at ways to improve our security,” Descanzo added. — KBK/YA/ELR/HS, GMA News