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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 November) – The city government had informed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) as early as August this year about the need to upgrade security equipment of the Davao International Airport (DIA) but the request has not been acted upon, Mayor Sara Duterte said.
“X-ray machines that bog down without any back up, some security equipment which are actually in place, pero kulang (but lacking),” Duterte said were among the problems at the baggage security check at the airport.
“I think the equipment at the airport needs upgrading,” Duterte said. She said the city government has been providing the airport with enough security support, including the deployment of its anti-terror unit to secure its vicinitiy 24 hours daily but the upgrading of airport equipment falls within the jurisdiction of the national government.
City officials have been closely guarding the airport after a homemade bomb exploded in its waiting shed area in March 2003, killing 22 and wounding over 143 people. The bombing incident has not been solved until now. (Germelina Lacorte/MindaNews)