By Ma. Cristina Arayata

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (PNA file photo by Cristina Arayata)

MANILA – Aviation police continuously implement stringent security measures even under level 1 status, an official said Tuesday.

Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) Director Jack Wanky made the assurance after several government agencies received bomb threats on Monday.

All airports across the country remain under Level 1 Security Condition, which means there is no imminent threat.

“Stringent measures are always in place whether or not there is threat. Airports are highly important areas. We do not lower our guard down,” Wanky told the Philippine News Agency.

Wanky said at least 100 recent police graduates who have finished their training are deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to augment security.

An average of 40 personnel per shift are inside Terminals 2 and 3, while others serve as mobile patrol units.

Aside from additional manpower and police visibility, Wanky said foot patrol, bomb-sniffing dogs, and CCTV cameras are scattered across the four terminals.

He noted that the Avsegroup always cordon off areas where a bag is left unattended for a few minutes and deploy bomb-sniffing dogs to check this.

“We frequently advise the public to be on alert and report to the guards or to police officers if they notice any suspicious behavior of a passenger,” Wanky said. (PNA)