The entire airport facility has been placed on heightened alert effective Tuesday morning in preparation for the arrival of heads of States and very important persons (VIPs) who will attend the inauguration of President-elect Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III this Wednesday.

Airport General Manager Melvin Matibag has deployed more forces from the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) and the Airport Police Department (APD) to strategic locations across the airport facility to increase visibility and thwart criminal activities.

The heightened alert covers the areas encompassing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals I, II, III, and the Manila Domestic Airport.

Matibag said K9 units from both the ASG and the APD have been deployed in all terminals to complement the security forces already in place.

Tighter security screening procedures are also being implemented on all persons and cars entering the airport premises.

Stricter procedures for the issuance of visitor’s passes are also being followed and leaves of all airport personnel have been cancelled to assure that all airport stations are properly manned.

Matibag added that personnel from the NAIA’s Public Assistance Division are all on standby to provide assistance during the arrival of guests.

Heads of States that are arriving at the NAIA include Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Bureau of Customs NAIA-District Passenger Services Chief Collector Thess Roque for her part assured that arrival courtesies will also be extended to all of the arriving heads of State and VIPs.