Manila, Philippines – Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Raffy Tulfo questioned the alleged lack of security process by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in different piers and Ro-Ro ports in the country.
During the committee hearing on Thursday, Senator Tulfo insisted that the PPA lacks proper inspection of vehicles loaded onto ro-ro vessels, which could potentially be carrying illegal items, such as drugs and firearms.
“Recent, I made the rounds of our airports, seaports, and terminals. I found so many violation.” the senator said.
During his visits to traveler ports, one thing he noticed was the lack of X-ray machines to scan vehicles and baggage loaded onto ro-ro vessels.
Senator Tulfo believes that this should be the first issue that should be addressed by the Philippine Ports Authority.
“Pwedeng pwedeng lusutan ng bomba, ng droga, ng explosives. Madaling lusutan at palagay ko maging mga carnap na vehicles, madaling i-transport from Manila to different provinces or from provinces to Manila.” Tulfo stated.
Atty. Sherwin de Joya of the PPA legal services department responded.
According to Atty. De Joya, the PPA ensures police visibility in port areas under their jurisdiction.
De Joya also stated that the PPA only implements basic security measures at ports, similar to the security implemented in malls.
“The basic checks are similar to what we do in malls. I think that’s the best comparative activity we can say,” de Joya answered.
Meanwhile, according to Atty. Sheryl De Costa of the PPA, the PPA has a security plan in place to inspect baggage and trucks for passengers carrying drugs, weapons, and other illegal items.
Atty. De Costa initially stated that there are X-ray machines for cargoes, but Tulfo quickly refuted this, saying he did not observe any X-ray machines during his visit to ports in Cebu.
“Do not tell a lie. I know we have those in international ports of BOC. But in piers and Ro-Ro ports are you sure we have X-ray machines?”
“No, we cannot accept that you will give us a report. That’s what people who are unprepared usually tell us. But since we are talking about piers you should know this because you’re from PPA,” Tulfo said.
It was also mentioned during the hearing that while some cargo is intercepted at ports, there is still a possibility that some cargo carrying illegal items slips through due to the PPA’s lack of equipment.