NAIA official gunned down at airport

A long standing feud between an airport official and an aviation police officer ended in a bloody and fatal confrontation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) departure area late Monday night.

Shot dead was Eduardo Tiotioen, 39, head of the airport’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and concurrent action officer of NAIA.

He suffered two bullet wounds in the chest and in the neck.

The alleged assailant was identified as Maj. Cenon Tenorio, officer-in- charge, night shift, 1st PCAS (Police Center for Aviation Security) of the PNP-Aviation Security Group.

Tiotioen was gunned down in full view of passengers and airport employees outside the Windows of the World Restaurant at the departure level entrance of the airport Terminal 1.

Suspect Tenorio surrendered to Chief Supt. Andres Caro II, director of the PNP-ASG, shortly after the incident.

Caro opted to keep mum about the motive and circumstances surrounding the killing to allow the National Bureau of Investigation authorities to conduct an impartial probe of the incident.

Tiotioen was among the handful of "trusted" people brought in from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) by Cusi who issued a statement strongly denouncing the ruthless killing of Tiotioen.

""I’ve known Ed to be someone who is truly committed to his job. My work relationship with him dates back to my stint as general manager of the Philippine Port Authority. He was very much involved in PPA’s community development projects specially in the Baseco area,’’ Cusi said.

"I have asked the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through Atty. Angelito Magno to help us with the case. We have eyewitnesses who are now in the custody of the NBI for questioning,’’ Cusi added.

Robert Uy, executive assistant of Cusi, however assured the public that the incident does not involve any lapses in the security set-up at the NAIA but was "just an internal matter" between two feuding airport and police officials.

An initial police report stated that at around 11:30 p.m., Tiotioen, who was the on-duty action officer, confronted Tenorio at the immigration arrival area over his alleged passenger escorting activities.

Tenorio was in the area to meet an arriving passenger aboarda Korean Airlines flight KE-623 from Seoul.

Tiotioen, who was known to accost airport and police personnel over meeting arriving passengers, allegedly fumed at the police officer and berated him about protocol lapses in facilitating passengers by NAIA personnel.

Tiotioen reportedly pointed out to Tenorio that instead of wearing his NAIA identification card, he should have requested and worn a stick-on pass because he was not on official duty.

This reportedly irked Tenorio. A verbal tussle ensued. The police officer then reportedly hied off to his van parked at the departure level.

But the altercation did not end there.

Witnesses said victim Tiotioen instructed Gregorio Garcia and Lito Azucena, NAIA porterage supervisors to monitor the whereabouts of Maj. Tenorio.

Witnesses said Tiotioen then sought out the police officer and ended up at the departure area where Tenorio was. They were then again locked in a fierce verbal exchange.

Witnesses said the two were grappling before four gun shots were heard.

Airport officials said this was not the first time the two officials engaged in an argument.

The first one happened a few months ago which caused Tenorio to lose his position as officer-incharge for the PNP-ASG at the airport terminal.

Tiotioen, accompanied by two airport police officers, then accosted Tenorio for allowing a friend to enter the airport premises using an official business pass. Tiotioen’s report had caused Tenorio to be in hot water with his superiors.

Manila Bulletin