Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) — Sen. Imee Marcos wants the Senate to probe the “unadvised” landing of a United States military aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In Senate Resolution 667, Marcos said a Boeing C-17 strategic transport aircraft owned and operated by the US military landed at the NAIA on June 26 at 8 a.m. The plane was reportedly from Guam and was carrying nine military crew and one passenger.
\”The Manila International Airport Integrated Command and Control Center was not given any advisory on the arrival of aforesaid aircraft,\” Marcos said, citing an unnamed source.
She also said that upon verification with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the US Embassy issued an advisory to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding the aircraft.
\”Why was there an apparent lack of coordination between the CAAP, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of National Defense on the matter?\” Marcos asked.
\”In light of the recently revealed US request for the Philippines to temporarily house Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants, the continued escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific Region, and the re-emergence of internal security threats, it is crucial for the State to carefully scrutinize the activities of foreign militaries in the country, particularly those which appear questionable or which are shrouded in secrecy,\” she added.
According to the senator, the CAAP said the plane left the NAIA at 6:10 p.m. or 10 hours after its landing to head to Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
\”CAAP revealed that the alternate airport of the aircraft ‘for contingencies’ en route to Manila was Clark International Airport,\” she added.
Marcos said she wants the appropriate Senate panel to investigate in aid of legislation the circumstances surrounding the landing of the US plane, possible landings other than in Manila and Puerto Princesa, whether the aircraft carried cargo, and the \”real\” number of people onboard and their identities.
Marcos, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, led an “urgent” public hearing on the United States’ request for the Philippines to allow the admission of Afghanistan nationals on June 16.
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