Did Singson get special treatment at NAIA?
MANILA, Philippines - Did Ilocos Sur 1st District Congressman Ronald Singson get special treatment from immigration when he left the Philippines for Hong Kong last July 11?
Manila International Airport Authority MIAA chief Jose Honrado said that based on their initial investigation, Singson was frisked and "even took off his shoes" when he went to the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, which exclusively serves Philippine Air Lines (PAL) flights.
Honrado added that the congressman and his baggage also went through the X-ray machines.
He said that these initial findings were based on a statement made by a driver of an airport official who assisted Singson at the airport's inspection line.
Honrado said that their initial suspicion is that the X-ray machines installed at the NAIA may not be capable of detecting small amounts of illegal drugs.
"We might have to go through the actual check. Actual demo, sample of drugs. Let them go through the machines if the machines can really detect [small amounts of drugs] or not," Honrado told ABS-CBN's morning show, "Umagang Kay Ganda."
He said that aside from the possible technical error, the MIAA will also investigate if there was "human factor" in Singson's case.
He said the congressman may have been given special treatment at the airport.
"Masyado tayong too friendly (We’re too friendly)," Honrado said, adding that they have also started a review of the people who have been given special access passes to the airport.
He said that aside from drugs, the "friendly" security at the airport may also be the reason for the rampant case of human trafficking in the country.
He, however, admitted that he cannot change the practice overnight.
Singson was arrested at the Customs arrival hall of Chek Lap Kok International Airport last July 11 for possession of 26.1 grams of cocaine and 2 tablets of diazepam, more commonly known as Valium.
The congressman's arrest became public only on Saturday after his father, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, confirmed the news.
A copy of Singson's charge sheet obtained by ABS-CBN News showed that Singson has been charged with trafficking of a dangerous drug.
Under existing law, suspects summarily convicted of bringing 10-50 grams of illegal substances such as cocaine or heroine to Hong Kong could be fined HK$500,000 (P2.9 million) and imprisonment of 3 to 8 years. This is the minimum penalty for Singson if he pleads guilty and is convicted of the crime.
On the other hand, Singson could be fined up to HK$5,000,000 (P29.7 million) and suffer imprisonment of 3 years to life if he pleads innocent but is convicted of drug trafficking.
The charge sheet recommended no bail and no option for deportation for the Ilocos Sur congressman.
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Honrado and Bautista Resign
Honrado and Bautista should resign. Period.
Thank You NAIA Personnel for Giving VIP Treatment
If it were not for the VIP treatment given to Cong. Singson, he will not be jailed in HK for possession of illegal drugs.
Imagine, he will only use his power to get himself off the hook if he were caught here in the Philippines...
To THE NAIA personnel who gives special treatment to our VIP politicians, let me tell you this, YOU ARE REALLY AN ASSET TO THE ERADICATON OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, PUSHERS AND TRAFFICKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES and because of this KUDOS TO YOU!
Did Singson get special treatment at NAIA?
It seems we have a lot of sniffer dogs employed in Manila... but I think they are trained for bomb detection only
says it all regarding how much importance we put for illegal drug detection
as for slipping by NAIA ... surely it is puzzling that with all the sniffer dogs and the drug detecting procedures and tools that he was able to go through undetected... unless he bought the drugs in hk or mongolia or somewhere else... but doubt that.
as a consolation, he should be thankful he got caught in HK, if he got caught in more strict drug enforcing countries such as Singapore - he could probably face caning or worst the hangman.
people just don't respect the rules and laws of other countries. and i guess it's price for that negligence and smugness of being a big fish.
good for them
kung sinita siya sa naia, lagot sila kay chavit, now that he got caught in hongkong, chavit is now dreaming sana sinita siya sa naia. you can't have it both ways.
kelangan pa bang i-memorize yan?!!!
SIYEMPRE NAMAN!!!! di lang special treatment, nagkaroon pa ng lagayan. tayo ba naman ay magkakalokohan pa. Dito pa sa Pilipinas! Di lahat ng tao kaya nyang bayaran, kulong sya ngayon. Dapat may managot din dito sa ating airport. mukang pera lang talaga mga tao sa gobyerno!!!!!!!!! at yan ang totoo
Ano ba namang tanong ito?!
SYEMPRE.
KAYA NGA BLACKLISTED TAYO SA E.U.
DAPAT TANGGALIN LAHAT NG MGA OPISYAL NA MAY RESPONSIBILIDAD SA PAGKALUSOT.
AT BAKIT HINDI NAHULI NG PDEA? NAPAKAHINA. URONG ANG BUNTOT KAPAG MATAAS NA SA GUBYERNO ANG KALABAN.
Good Example
This happening must serve as an example in our airports terminal security personnel not too lenient in examining passengers whoever they would be a congressman, senator, etc.
Good Example
This happening must serve as an example in our airports terminal security personnel not too lenient in examining passengers whoever they would be a congressman, senator, etc.
Special Favors
nakakahiya mga tao natin sa government. it only shows how corrupt and rampant disregards for the law...
parang feeling sila ang langit...
dapat lang makulong at mabitay si singson!!
mga lawbreakers!!! they should be punish to the full extend of the law!!!
if ever nakalusot pa sa HK, hindi na dapat palusutin pa dito sa pinas... for all the airport officials... Shame on you!! you guys can only hound the small guys...the VIPs di niyo kaya.....
eh ano pa bang bago? nakakahiya talaga tayo!!!
anyone here na nakapanood nung program sa National Geographic channel yung program nila na "Locked Up Abroad"??
di ko alam kung last week yun pero yung story nila about sa 2 foreign national na sinubukan magpadala ng marijuana na nasa kahon thru Philippine Postal Office sa Maynila, naka FX pa nga silang dumating dun eh base sa re-enactment, nakakahiya nung nakita ko na nakalusot nga sa Postal Office. TAKE NOTE sa MAIN OFFICE PA MISMO nakapag padala ng marijuana ah yung 2 foreigner isang babae isang lalake sila..... ang plano nila eh kukunin din nila yung marijuana sa SEOUL KOREA, so bumiyahe sila pa-KOREA eh TANGA lang yung lalake akala niya siguro magagawa niya sa KOREA yung nagawa niya sa PINAS sinubukan ba namang niyang kunin pa rin sa SEOUL POSTAL OFFICE yung box na may lamang marijuana.... eh yun katangahan kala niya makakalusot ayun timbog siya.... SOBRANG KAKAHIYA TAYO SA IBANG BANSA TALAGA!!!!!!