(Eagle News) — A Saudia Airlines plane which was reportedly “under threat” was placed in isolation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Airport personnel are also checking if this was a case of “false alarm” after reports that the distress button of the plane was just accidentally pressed.
Security personnel of NAIA are now implementing the proper standard procedure to validate initial information that the plane may have been hijacked.
Ed Monreal, general manager of NAIA, said they are still validating if the plane was indeed “under threat”, but he said they are not taking any risks.
“We’re not taking any chances. we have to implement the SOP,” he said in a press briefing.
The Saudia flight SV 872 from Jeddah touched down at NAIA around 3 p.m..
“Twenty miles before landing, MIAA ESD received advise from Manila Control Tower that Saudia Airlines Flight SV872 is under threat,” a statement from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Monreal said they would also be investigating if the emergency button was indeed accidentally pressed, as was later reported.
A crew member of the airline reportedly admitted that there was an accidental pressing of the button.
“But we have to still implement the SOP, and investigate this,” Monreal said.
The distress call was reportedly received around 2 p.m., while the airplane was still on air.
“We were also talking with the crew,” Monreal said.
