Return of initial screening at Iloilo airport sought after shooting incident

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Iloilo has mulled reinstating initial screening at the main entrance of the Iloilo International Airport, following a shooting incident.

A policeman shot a knife-wielding passenger afternoon on January 28, 2026.

"We will have to meet and try (to) evaluate risk assessment again to whatever is good. Kung ano ang recommendations na mangyari. We will make sure na hindi na mauulit," Arthur Parreño, spokesperson of CAAP-Iloilo, said.

In October 2025,  Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the removal of the initial security screening at the airport to free up space for passengers.

On January 28, a male passenger was seen in a video wielding a knife. He chased policemen and threatened them seemingly, based on the footage.

Later, a gunshot was heard which worried other passengers.

The suspect was seen in another video being arrested by airport police.

The videos were taken at the pre-departure area of the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town past 4 p.m. on January 28.

Based on investigation conducted by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), the knife in the bag of the suspect was first detected through an X-ray machine. When the bag was placed under security inspection, the man resisted.

He grabbed the bag and left the screening area. He also took the knife out of the bag.

“He was instructed to peacefully give the said bladed weapon pero ito yung suspek natin, naglakad palayo papunta sa passengers. Noong i-attempt nang kunin ng ating kapulisan, inundayan na itong pulis natin several times prompting the aviation police to draw his firearm and shot once, yung kanyang shoulder,” IPPO Director, Col. Bayani Razalan, said.

The suspect was taken to the hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

It was not, however, determined what triggered him to run amok, as he has refused to answer questions.

A witness said that prior to the incident, the suspect was observed to have been uneasy.

“Sa check-in pa lang, marami na siyang natamaan na mga tao. Anxious siya. Pabalik-balik siya,” Clloyd Luna, a witness, said.

The suspect was identified as 54-year-old Roland Lañojan, from Sagay, Camiguin in northern Mindanao. However, he is reported to have resided in Cebu City and is working as a security guard.

A female sibling of the suspect told Sagay Police that he already figured in a stabbing incident in Cagayan de Oro City.

His sister said he has no known mental condition.

“Since that time is nagdadala na ito ng pangdepensa ng sarili yung kutsilyo. Nag-usap-usap sila ng kapatid niya, na-transfer na siya sa Iloilo,” said Captain Lowell Estampa, officer in charge of Sagay Municipal Police Station.

The name of the aviation policeman is yet withheld, but he will be investigated for shooting the suspect while among other passengers.

He is set to surrender his service firearm for ballistic examination.

“Magkakaroon ng motu-proprio (investigation) ang ating Internal Affairs Service. It’s not me to determine kung may na-violate itong police natin,” Razalan added. — GMA Regional TV