THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) headed by general manager Ed Monreal really means business when it comes to respecting the Philippine flag.
He has standing orders that anyone who trivializes it will have to face the full force of the law. No excuses.
This he proved when recently, the airport police at the NAIA arrested a seemingly distressed man who, for unclear reason, went straight to the flagpole and then lowered the Philippine flag its pole situated in front of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
The man then let the flag touch the ground and put it right back up, only this time, it was inverted, or with the red portion on top. This did not escape the watchful eyes of the airport police and Airport Police Chief Col. Adrian Tecson had the man arrested. The incident took place at around 9 a.m. at the Open Parking B Area of the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
According to Col. Tecson, the suspect is a 27-year-old construction worker who hails from Muntinlupa City. He was placed under arrest by airport policemen on duty APO2 Geoffrey Camarauan and APO1 Allan Noche.
Tecson said that a certain Cpl. Fredenel Obel of the Aviation Security Command (AVSEC) was standing near the flagpole waiting for his colleague when he saw the suspect approaching the flagpole, lowering the flag and letting it touch the ground and then put it up again in an inverted way.
When Cpl. Obel tried to confront the suspect, the latter fled on foot so that Obel reported the matter to the security guards and airport police detailed in the area and along with AVSEC members Alexander Cabildo and Mack Donald Lozano, they pursued the suspect and had him cornered.
Tecson said the suspect had been subjected to inquest proceedings after being charged for violation of Republic Act 8491, otherwise known as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.” He was also charged with unjust vexation.
When queried,Tecson said the suspect told him that he is a construction worker and that because he had not been getting his salary on time, he sort of snapped. He is no drug addict, by the way.
RA8491mandates that reverence and respect be, at all times, accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody our national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.
Upon conviction, violators may face a fine from P5,000 to P20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one or both, depending on the court’s discretion.
This is why we should never take Philippine flags for granted. Many use the image of the flag for their clothings and even face masks, not knowing that they are already violating a law.
Congratulations to P/Colonel Christopher Melchor, chief of the PNP Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU)-NCR and to chief PNP-AVSEU Region 8 Police Col. Norberto Lumbera, Jr. on their recent promotion as full-pledged Colonels.
They got their new ranks in simple ceremonies administered by PNP AVSEU Director PB/Gen. Ysmael Yu at the AVSEU headquarters in Pasay City, where the two delivered their emotionally-charged acceptance speeches.
Greetings come from their good friend from the media, Ariel ‘Dugoy’ Fernandez of Manila Bulletin and DZBB/GMA.
Jokjok (from Jennifer Salazar of Caloocan City)
Sa isang tour sa museum
Juan: Ito bang pangit na ‘to ang tinatawag nyo na “ART”? Ang pangit-pangit, nakakasuka! Painting ba to
Tour Guide: Hindi po sir, salamin po ‘yan!
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