By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) have successfully held a simulation exercise yesterday morning focusing on active shooter incidents as well as the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) in the premises.
In a statement released by Mary Ann Grace Gayosa, public information officer for CAAP-Bacolod-Silay Airport, the exercise was aimed to prepare the airport to possible shooting incidents or bombings which may result to loss of life and property.
Gayosa pointed out the objective was to test the airport’s emergency plan procedures, response, coordination and communication capabilities of responders when faced with the particular situation.
During the exercise several of the airport staff acted as casualties, while some members of the airport’s Aviation Security Group and personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office acted as either suspects or responding law enforcement personnel.
Local emergency services of Talisay and Silay cities also participated, as well as the nearby Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, where possible casualties are likely to be rushed in the event of a real incident.
Previously in November of 2018, the airport also held a series of exercises focusing on a possible air crash incident, in which personnel also passed./DGB, WDJ