Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Raffy Tulfo strongly opposed the proposal to privatize, in any capacity, the operations of the Philippines’ communications, navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management system (CNS/ATM) through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
Tulfo confirmed from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that ComClark Network and Technology Corp. (ComClark) owned by Tech tycoon Dennis Uy submitted an “unsolicited proposal” to take over the operations of Philippines’ air traffic management system.
“The privatization of CNS/ATM functions poses serious national security risks and exposes us to foreign interference since private companies may be entered into through equity participation by nationalized investors, including big government backed corporations in China,” the legislator said.
In explaining his objection, the lawmaker cited an alleged statement by Ret. Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss, former Philippine Air Force Chief & former CAAP Director, that such a proposal would transfer CAAP’s power to monitor and control all flights inside our Flight Information Region (FIR) to a private entity who could have private vested interest.
Hotchkiss purportedly noted that every country has an FIR where they control the information navigation and alert system, and he stressed that this is “bigger than our maritime zone and territorial land areas combined”.
“Privatization of CNS/ATM is tantamount to giving private companies control of the security over our country’s land and seas.”
“This only means that privatization of CNS/ATM is tantamount to giving private companies control of the security over our country’s land and seas,” the senator stressed.
In opposing said privatization, he also recognized that large personalities such as former Congressman Arnolfo Teves, dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, and other POGO VIPs have used the means of flights to exit the country.
“Privatization may just lead to a system that can be much easier to exploit as a way to avoid the country’s justice system.”
“Privatization may just lead to a system that can be much easier to exploit as a way to avoid the country’s justice system,” he pointed out.
Tulfo vowed that he will exhaust all means to stop any attempt to privatize the Philippines’ air traffic system.
He is also set to file a Senate resolution to investigate the proposed privatization and find ways to improve our traffic system without removing government control.
