Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — The private plane that took off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for Dubai on Feb. 13 had the necessary permits, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said Thursday after reports came out that it did not undergo pre-flight inspection.
The chartered flight was approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, MIAA said.
The aircraft with Registry number and Callsign N9527E is owned and operated by Cloud Nine No. 1 Leasing Company Limited.
According to MIAA, Globan Aviation Corporation – the ground handling company – also obtained exit clearance from the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group (PNP Avseu), as well as MIAA’s approval for \”ramp entry of vehicles that transported the passengers to the Balagbag ramp, all of whom were processed and cleared by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on site.\”
MIAA also said it launched an investigation following a request from PNP Avseu chief PCol Rhoderick Campo, who alleged there were irregularities in the handling of the flight.
On Wednesday, senators vowed to investigate the incident after Sen. Grace Poe bared in a privilege speech that the private plane may have been used to illegally fly foreigners out of the country.
READ: Senate to probe alleged trafficking of foreigners out of PH
In a statement, the BI said there were 10 people on board the aircraft – seven passengers and three crew who were listed on the manifest.
\”All underwent derogatory checks and were compliant to immigration formalities,\” BI commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
An immigration officer was also assigned to attend to and process the passengers, he added.
The bureau explained that chartered flights are under special flights where passengers are not processed in the immigration area, but near the aircraft.
It added that permits on security, health, and duties, among others are handled by other government agencies for departing and arriving special flights.
\”The entrance of other individuals in the airport premises does not fall under the jurisdiction of the BI. Our officers only process passengers, following the official General Declaration,\” Tansingco said.
\”Immigration officers are only given ramp access during Special flights together with the Quarantine and Customs officers. They are also assigned in random except during presidential flights,\” he added.
