BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday held a four-hour full scale simulation exercises at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, aimed at preparing themselves to handle possible bombing and related incidents which may lead to loss of life and destruction of properties.
Mary Ann Grace Gayosa, Public Information Officer for CAAP-Bacolod-Silay Airport, yesterday said in a statement that the exercise aims to test the airport emergency plan procedures, response, coordination and communication capabilities of responders, on how to address scenarios that may occur.
The simulated “Active Shooting Incident with IED (Improvised Explosive Device)” led by Aviation Security Group personnel led by P/Maj. Cyrille Tuvillo forms part also the BSA’s preparedness efforts to manage a possible case of shooting incident with IED.
The simulation exercises were also participated by the Aviation Security Group personnel, 1st Negros Occidental Police Provincial Mobile Force Company, as well as emergency responders of Silay and Talisay, Office for Transportation Security-Department of Transportation (OTS-DOTr, Eagle Matrix Security Agency Inc., Bacolod and Silay Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and K9 Team, Silay City Police Station SWAT personnel, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 Bureau of Fire and Protection, Silay City Health Office, Provincial Disaster Management Program, personnel of the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, among other law enforcement agencies.
In 2018, CAAP-Bacolod also held a series of exercises focusing on air crash incidents.
Engr. Percy Malonesio, BSA manager, stressed the need for such an exercise to ensure the safety and security of the flying public.
Simulated Exercise is very important for us to assess our capabilities in responding to an emergency, working proactively with local government units, government sectors and airport stakeholders simplifies the idea that teamwork is still the most effective and efficient intervention to an emergency and having a Full Scale Exercise is a requirement for an Aerodrome Certification, Malonesio said.
He stressed that limited persons were allowed to participate and safety health protocols were highly observed during the said exercise.*
