By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 01:48:00 04/04/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. had just completed a two-day state visit to the Philippines and was not about to subject himself to the indignity of being frisked before boarding his US plane back to his island nation.
But the crew of Continental Micronesia Airlines Flight CO 892 was adamant. Their priority was security rather than courtesy, even for a head of state.
After a two-hour standoff, the plane left without Remengesau and his wife Debbie.
In a strange coincidence, the aircraft was recalled back to Manila minutes after it took off following “intelligence information” to the Manila Control Tower from the Philippine Air Force that a bomb might be on board.
The aircraft turned around and was searched, but no bomb was found. It was finally able to take off again at 4:52 a.m. Thursday, some seven hours after its originally scheduled departure time.
Strangely, it was the PAF chief, Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog, who had led negotiations for the visiting dignitary to be accorded the diplomatic nicety.
“We explained to them that we should give the highest courtesy and respect to a president of a republic,” Cadungog said he pleaded with the US airline crew.
“But they decided ‘we will leave you, close the door, we will take off’,” said Cadungog, who was to walk the Palau president to the plane on his scheduled departure Wednesday night.
Arrogant bullies
“They were bullies and very arrogant,” Cadungog later told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).
The airline did not disclose the number of passengers booked, but its Boeing 737-800 plane could hold between 162 and 189 passengers.
Remengesau and his wife returned to their hotel and finally made their flight to Palau at 2:16 p.m. Thursday on a plane chartered by the Philippine government from San Miguel Corp., the PAF said.
In a statement on his arrival in Palau, Remengesau expressed regret that the airline crew spoiled what he described as a “highly successful state visit to the Philippines”—the first made by the island’s president in 24 years.
“I am well aware of security concerns that airlines face and I support their efforts to keep flying safe, but there must be some room for the exercise of common sense in all decisions, and there must be respect for the dignity of the highest level of government,” Remengesau said.
“I intend to bring this up with the regional airlines serving Palau as well as the US Transportation Security Administration so that we can ensure that respect and culturally appropriate treatment is accorded heads of state that will visit Palau,” he said.
No exemption to US law
The US carrier stood pat on its decision to keep the Palau president off its plane.
“Continental employees explained the security requirements of the aviation laws of the US in detail to the president of Palau,” Continental said in a statement.
“US aviation law requires that all customers comply with security procedures in order to board a flight. So unfortunately, [the airline] had no choice but to deny boarding of the president and his party to ensure the safety and on-time operation of the flight for other passengers on board,” it said.
Redundancy check
Remengesau, his first lady and 11-member entourage arrived for departure honors at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for the 9:45 p.m. flight. They had flown in on Tuesday, to meet with their Filipino counterparts.
Cadungog said the Palau group, which included senior statesmen and Cabinet officials, yielded to the so-called airline “redundancy” check, the final step in the layered security measure that carriers bound for US cities and territories implement in ports of origin.
When it was Remengesau’s turn, Malacañang and Department of Foreign Affairs officials stepped in and asked Continental’s Manila station manager Maximina Cabantog if the state visitor could be spared the frisking.
As Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi put it, security checks are waived for visiting heads of state as part of port courtesy. The MIAA, however, kept its hands off the dispute as the final check was a matter left to the airline’s discretion, Cusi said.
Bomb threat probed
As talks dragged on until midnight, Remengesau was “isolated” from the situation in the company of Vice President Noli de Castro at the lower level Presidential Lounge.
“It was a very commonsensical situation that became explosive, affecting relations among countries,” Cadungog said.
He said the airline “refused to understand the human side of the situation.”
With neither side budging, the airline decided to close the plane’s door and push back for takeoff at 12:15 a.m., taking a number of Remengesau’s entourage with it. The Palau president and first lady meanwhile were driven back to their hotel.
A few minutes into the flight, the control tower relayed to Flight CO 892 purported intelligence information it had received from the PAF that a bomb might be on board.
Cadungog said the PAF operations center received an “anonymous call” threatening to bomb the plane. The information was immediately relayed to the control tower, which then alerted Continental.
The MIAA has launched an investigation of the incident, Cusi said. With a report from Cynthia D. Balana
Screw those people in continental. What a treatment to a head of state. The US Federal Govt. should look into this and make sure it does not happen again.
Alii, I believe that was one of the very reason some wise men came up with the idea of having the Palau-Micronesia Airlines. In our part of the region, I believe Continental needs competition. LEt us put the brains back to normal and bring the PM-Air back in Service. That way, our heads of state can and will be transported to and from with respect and all just satisfy our expectations.
I am so disgusted with the treatment the Palau President received from Continental Airline. The FSM should boycott Continental airline and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Micronesian cousins from Palau, or bring in a Philippine airline to serve Micronesia and the Philippines.
Sorry President TR Jr. of Palau for Continental's insensitive treatment of you.
Being a President of a Nation, diplomatic immunity should be applied. If this is applicable, then why in the hell are other nations given this privilege here in our country and other countries?
I agree with all of you. Our Head of States deserve better than this. And if Continental, or any other foreign airline for that matter, should refuse to comply, we can simply kick them out. This is our turf, not continental's. A treatment like that to one of Micronesia's best should not go unpunish.
I happen to be on a flight from Pohnpei to Guam, and President TR Jr. was also checked by the local Continental crew in Pohnpei. He passed thru the machine line easily but he was singled out during the boarding process. Poor foreign affairs staff who tried to intervene with the Continental official was simply put on the side. Luckily in that incident, TR Jr. willingly obliged and spread his arms out, signaling the poor foreign affairs staff that it was ok. I tell you, Continental has attitude. Some incidences in the past include those of VP Killion, which Sen. Halbert of Pohnpei voiced his strong condemnation of the acts of Continental. He raised it on the Congress floor. And others involving former Senator Christian, who would always argue with the Continental staff on those issues. Common sense will only tell us as Micros that of all people, TR Jr, VP Killion, and Speaker Christian are the leastly like to even sneak a toothpick on the flight. So where is the logic here.....
This act of disrespect showed the economic powers that continental has in the region. Their annual revenue from the region is more than the annual budgets from the three island nations in micronesia, namely: palau, the fsm and marshall islands. these nations should join together to assist their business communities to establish and support a regional airline.
The three government should provide the capital outlay to establish a regional airlines, and allow the citizens to buy out the government interests in the airlines as it progressed.
You seem to know all the stats about government, private entities and what have you? we are aware of the fact that you do come in with mulitple personalities: Kamweno, Sarem Chuuk, Meihin wai, etc....keep on rocking lady!
Whats wrong with checking the VIPs at the presidential suit, away from the rest of the passengers? The airline staff could easily check those people before entering the VIP lounge by simply having them walk through a gate-sensoring device...so only those that peeps would be subjected to simple frisking.. This way everyone would be happy...
Some of our Continental staff in FSM are so courteous and friendly I just feel like unbuckling and even stripping down when they asked nicely to raise my arms. When one gets to Guam, attitudes and situation changed abruptly where one feel like an idiot been frisked by robotized Guaminians or Filipinas.
I think the problem is the Filipinas and Filipinos working there. They take their jobs far too seriously and left no rooms for common human courtesies...
The president would be setting a good example by allowing to be frisked EVERYONE in the US of A has to go through security.........regardless of their position in government EVERYONE, Unfortunately this is a result of 9/11 and due to the terrorists. Your country is close to Muslim/Alkaida populated countries (Philippines Malaysia, indonesia, Iraq etc) and therefore security should NOT change. EVERYONE needs to be checked and your president should set an example to ALL of his people.
charter a flight would've been less chaotic than flying the regular fight for our friend form palau.....let's boycot CO airlines and have more competators service micro. ......if not um, we could set up nails in all micro airports to get continental airlines tires all flat and hopefully destroy the nose gear of their aircrafts. How about that?
Securing everyone's welfare on board said plane is and should always be the priority and being the "head of state" should not change that. Our president should have set an example for all dignitaries (and everyone else not just his people as nancimeek stated) finding themselves in the similar situation. These security measures came about since 9/11 as we all know and a united front amongst us complying with them will only ensure its effectiveness.
I dont blame President Thomas Remengesau Jr. for getting upset with Continental's staff at the Manila terminal. After passing through immigrations, (yes, for departures), passengers are screened and throughly frisked by airport security personnels - metal detectors, x-rays, pat downs, remove shoes, belts, coins, jackets, ..... After this, passengers go down one or two floors,only to end up with yet another security screening/check conducted by Continental's staff. The line is long, so people move very, very slow. So at this point, nobody likes to removes his/her shoes again, give their handcarries to the staff for thorough manual check - item by item..... Three years ago at the same spot, even I, a small potatoe was impatient already, imagine a head of state, and a Palauan at that ! I knew TR Jr in the 1960's and he spoke his mind even then ! Add his lovely wife into the picture and you have one big powerful upset Palauan. Recalling the flight back to the airport due to that reported bomb threat was just a way for the high ranking escorts to tell Continental where they were (whose airspace, and whose country) and that they didnt like Continental's attitude. Continental goofed on this one big time - they could have easily complied with the safety regulations (in a manner befitting such dignitaries on that official visit) and still safe their sorry PI face. One thing is certain - somebody stirred up this explosive embarrassment. That incident will be tough for Palauans to swallow though they would be diplomatic about it, nor would they easily sweep it under the rug and say ....mal ungil !
So much has been written about this incident at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Coincidentally, Palau President was rushing home to attend a Grand Opening of the ARFF Building funded by the FAA. There are pundits out there thinking that since Palau signed an open air agreement [during the State Visit] there might have been some form of a retaliation, but then we can ask ourselves - so soon?
I think CO staff were doing their job to ensure airline safety and this may have ran afoul with the PAF General who was seeing he President off after a State Visit to his country. We read from various reports that courtesy was asked [by Philippine's Foreign Affairs] but we are not sure if it was denied. I know that President Remengesau would have gone through the whole process but that would have been a "slap in the face" of those whose government he has just visited.
It's been awhile since I've been to the PI but what CO should have done is screened the President and the First Lady in private somewhere. The President is NOT exempt from screening. Every person boarding a US Flag carrier is required to undergo security sceening. In Pohnpei, the VIP's are screened in the privacy of the VIP lounge. It was poor planning by whoever was in charge of planning every detail out of the President's trip, either on his staff or the host country's staff. When it gets to the point where the next step is to board the aircraft there are only two people on Continental's staff that has the right to refuse any passenger, that is the Ground Security Coordinator and/or the Captain of the aircraft. I'm willing to bet that the GSC and the Captain where well aware of the situation and the back lash they were going to get but when it comes to safety nothing should be compromised. They did exactly what they should have done. Again, it should've been handled differently but it was't.
I couldn't agree with you more Mike P. It was poor planning indeed. They should've screened them somewhere private and the VIP lounge is that EXACT place. I do not blame the Captain for not boarding the president but the person who was in charge of security. He should anticipate this kind of situation and be ready to remedy them.
And what would Al Qaida gain from blowing up planes in our region?? Just a question that I have been pondering.
CO892: Boarding denial of President Remengesau explained
By Philip N. Haruo Horizon News Staff
President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. was denied from boarding onto Continental flight 892 (CO892) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines on Wed., April 2. Flight CO892 was bound for Palau.
Remengesau was in the Philippines for a state visit and was scheduled to return to Palau on flight CO892. Remengesau, along with his party, were not permitted to board CO892 after allegedly refusing to follow with security requirements at the airport in Manila.
According to Continental Micronesia’s media statement – released through its Corporate Communications – Continental employees “explained the security requirements of the aviation laws of the United States in detail to the President of Palau.” However, Remengesau “would not comply with the security procedures.”
According to the media statement, United States aviation laws mandates that all Continental Airlines customers follow security procedures in order to board a flight. Further, as indicated in the statement, “Elevated level of security has been implemented at the Manila airport” and all passengers, without any exception, must go through the security procedures. more on this.
I'm impressed and proud of the role model leadership made from the Pelau President, the honorable Remengesau:
The Pelauan folks are the advances brothers and sisters in our Micronesian region. I've inspired by the states man mannerism the honorable President of Pelau have handled himself on situation while on the Philippine soil, and while arrived on his Palau soil, too. It have shown how the Pelau President handle his power with positiveness, highly educated person, great leadership for not abused his power, but speaking out on how (he) Pelau President will improves the Poor Services had made from employee(s) from Continental Airlines Services.
I think it was a good thing have happened to one of the powerful leaders, as Pelau President for his experienced such poor services. All Customer Services, not just from our American counterpart Air Lines Industry, ( Pacific and Micronesian region) but within all United States Air Lines Services territory, which including the Pelau and the Federated States of Micronesia rout of services have and should be operated with respect, dignity as professional respected business's,( a priority of Customer Services!) whether it be smaller business on ground as services buses and taxis, or going in the sky for Air Lines should and must have that “Guaranteed” priority for Guality of Customer Services, whether you are somebody important, or nobody. These Customer Services from Airlines should and must treating all customers with respect, unless there is an urgent warning calling from our local and state federal law enforcement to authorize for search and other warning sign of any individual (he/she) have boarding certain Airplane, for example as “threat”.
Also suggesting for the code for Airlines Crews and Stewardess's should be looking at very closely at background checks for criminal, drugs dealing, sex offenders, thief, terrorist and others serious criminal background before any Airlines can do hiring, especially the hiring for crews working on board Airlines, not just the Continental Air Lines, as others Airlines services in the region, too. Why I've strongly suggesting enforcing the code for all stewardess and crews members, because these people ( Stewardess and Air Lines Crews) are responsible for your safety, health, and life for their services in the sky. You would expected all Crews members (he/she) well qualified diplomatically, business styles, and familiar with Law Enforcement Policy with respect for the laws, but not being an abuser to his/her customers.
Lastly, our neighboring advancing country as the Philippine have always the championing in crafting political statues and any business deal with powerful nation, too. Seeing our Micronesian region as a small fish in their eyes.( meaning, our Micronesian Leaders are still toddler, and naive in their business deal to the world...) The point I'm trying to bring it across is I'm not surprises to see this tactics if it was an intentionally set-up ( between a paid businessman and whom for unknown fact dealer?) for the purpose to humiliated the Palau President, to test his power maybe ban Continental from the Micronesian region and improves the Philippine Air Lines into the services to Micronesian region?
I'm not sure of this situation, but only the politican expert will resolve this matter, hopefully. This situation more like the 007 James Bond movies.
I've apologies if my theory and observation is way out on the edge. Just my own observation to situation so far.
Respectfully, Angela engichy Aboriginal from Micronesia
I am a crew member! proud senior flight attendant and love every freaking minute of it. Aengichy, FYI, we flight attendants do not have the time to train to be a law enforcement...that's why we have them folks cops, enforecment whichever you want to put...wroking some flights to keep you people like you board our aircrafts without a proper id...with respect to your discussion on Background check, most airlline do go through a regourous background checks: durgs, sex to make sure you're not pregnant..lol and any other offense. If i were you dear, I would not even bother to move my lips for one, you have no idea what in the heck you're trying to convey...also you point up there on the board does not make any sense whatsover.
go home and make more babie and leave us sexy flight attendants alone! lol coffee or tea??? lol
If your statement is true, as you've introduced yourself as one of senior flight attendant for Continental Air Lines? You should be fired at this minutes! No question to asked or reevaluated upon your job performance, your tone and poor communication as poorly shown, (you've expanded more poor reputation for Continental Air Lines..) should and must be ashamed if you work for my company, too,
Keep in mind, I have the same right as every1 in here. Are you trying to take away my fouth amend? I work with couple guys from Chuuk, one of em from Tol, the other is from other islands of chuuk, both dudes not gals are great!
Keep in mind the president of Palau, Presidnt of FSM are not really dignitaries. They are mostly highschool educated people with a known family name who bought their way in to office. What about the president of Iran? he is a president would you like himon your pland knowing he did not go through screening? Get a grip people.
If some high ranking military personel are required to go through security check points at airports, then why would the Palauan President be an exception? Surely, those fighting against terrorism have to do it, so must he. That's just my humble opinion.
You pointed out an issue that's totally unrelated to the subject at hand. Perhaps it should be brought up in another thread. I'm pretty sure their educational backgrounds or lack of it has no basis whatsoever on how said U.S Aviation Law(s) should be enforced. The issue here is whether a dignitary should be exempt, not whether if he or she fits our definition of an ideal dignitary.
dig·ni·tar·y –noun, plural-tar·ies. a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church. courtesy of dictionary.com
I agree. For the safety of everyone on board the aircraft, all must go through the check point. Even the dignitaries must go through the check points, if they take the same flight as the regular people. However, my experience with the check points on the islands are a bit too extreme. I have travel within the United States, boarding the airlines from various airports and I had never experienced such rigorous checks as I did when I went home couple years ago. Why, the TSA people even went on the aircraft and reaped up the seats to check underneath. I don't know what they expect to see there, or maybe they were instructed to see if someone sneaked in bombs and grenades on board. This is Micronesia, for God sake! It's absolutely ridiculous.
Come on, what is going on in here? Why are we fussing about the policy of the airlines, you board you follow their rules "that's it", everyone should be treated equally no matter who or what you are. As for the President of Palau, with my respect, where was your Chief of Staff or Protocol Officer that should handle and take care of all your travel needs and requirements. We do not need to go this far and argue. By the way, love your island and music....................take care all!
I do not mean to sidetrack from the situation at hand but I can not help but ROFLMAO when reading ms. Angela Engichy's comment. But before I get into that, I just want to put my two cents in the situation involving the president of palau. I think it is not right for a head of state to be treated in such manner. I do not think they would do that to a head of state from a different country. Continental needs to go back to whatever conference table they come up with their regulations from and put in "exception to the rule" somewhere. And next to it, put "heads of states", regardless of country of origin, should be cleared by customs in a presidential boot. If you ask where the presidential boot is, it is the bathrooms in the airport...kidding...Seriously, they need to come up with a different way of checking in political head figures. Politically, it looks and feels demeaning to have a president succumb to such treatment. In other words, you do not trust a "guy" who runs a country to board a plane. The customs personnell should be more worried of the other passengers because you never know who is on the flight that might want to bring harm to the head of state in question....
ANYWAY moving on......MS ENGICHY, where did you graduated from? Wait let me say that again....Where did you graduate from? I swear I try to read your posting and believe me, I was starting to come down with a migraine so I took like 5 breaks..LOL...After all that, I am still at loss of words and pictures in my head trying to figure out what it is you are so hyped up about. PLease send me the address to your school so I know where not to send my kids to school...heeheheh.....If you really own a company, I want to see a memo that you might have written. Good luck on your future endeavors and stay out of this place until you enroll yourself in writing composition 101.....lmao...sorry.
Thank you for the many negatives comments you have spoken about me and my writing. What is your fluctuation for being a “dictator “ to do every possible way to ban me out of this forum? Why don't you finding some positive solution for helping improves the poverty in Chuck State? Have the Hospital in Chuck State have been clean? How about the schools on the islands and atolls, do you know if all students have enough lunches and school supplies? What kind of improvement have you done in Chuck State for being a successful leaders, and well educated person?
How is the economy in Chuck State? Is Chuuk State have enough jobs to employee all our citizens? Why have all our people are abandoning Chuuk? Speaking of which, There is two different types of educated person in the civilized world, one is sardine head, and one is common sense.
At this time, I've dedicated my roles raising my kid, and family. I am a hard working person did not support myself on public assistant before, and now. My positive contribution which now provided you the opportunity to speak your mind, because I've cleared your path, than being a well paid public official, showing off but empty handed without no result.
Shown some respect, ( a woman like myself have courage than our men in Chuuk) and improve on your attitudes to speak to the world, please.
Back to you. Angela Engichy aboriginal from Chuuk State
Angela, Angela, Angela! I have to give you credit. I guess it's the attempts that count sometimes. But regardless, it seems you are not backing down anytime soon. So before I get to the meat and sardines, I just want to say, I do not live off public welfare nor I take money from homeless people...lol...But what I was trying to convey to you has nothing to do with what one needs to do to support chuuk. I have to admit, I am not from Chuuk..If I was, I would send all the government employees to pisiwi and have them battle it out on the beach. Like they say, the system is only as strong as the weakest link. So you have to start weeding out the dirty ones and replace them with someone who will bring meaning and real change to the state. Instead of fighting over money, the govt should work on creating projects that will work collectively for its people. Oh and before I forget, I just want to say "try, try, try, never, never, give up, for there is nothing impossible for a willing heart". lol..hope you got that one...And for Mcsomeone, I wasn't talking behind her back..I was telling her to her face...DO you need to enroll in writing composition 101 too?lol
Ohhhh...one more thing, how does one FLUCTUATE? I hope you are not picking out words from a thesaurus because some words are not just meant to be...LOL..just wondering...
Artilery101, i just want to say thanks for the humor Sir/Ma'am (my bet is on sir though).
topic@hand: most of you have the right idea, "No one should be exempted from security". BUT!! (yes, there's always a but), when it comes to high ranking officials, namely the President, of any given country... i think an exemption is in order. some of you made the argument of how we ALL should be screened EQUALLY. i say no. with high ranking positions, i feel, should come some well deserved priviledges and respect. it is the position moreso than the person that needs to be properly addressed. that is where i feel Continental made its error in judgement. plus! an airline's first line of business is to its customers. like some of you pointed out, Continental SHOULD HAVE at least taken the president aside to a separate lounge or screening area to meet their procedures of security. it just makes no sense to me to treat A PRESIDENT like a common suspect.
don't get me wrong people. i'm not saying to worship the ground high ranking officials walk on. hell no! i'm merely saying to have some common respect for those who we hope are looking out for our over-all best interests.
Continental, i think it's time to update your security procedures. i'm pretty sure exemptions can be made for the few "elite" (who hold much of the buying power, keep that in mind). it's one thing to follow through when it comes to security. but let's not forget common courtesy.
The way that the airline treated President Remengesau is deplorable. It is unfortunate that all parties involved were not able to find a common ground to allow him to pass through. Personally, I think that the Dept. Of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines served only to compound the situation. According to some accounts of the incident they "stepped in" on behalf of the President to prevent the proceedings. I think that "stepping in" can be construed as an aggressive move and may have immediately put the Continental employees on defensive mode. I know the President and he would not have objected to having his person frisked had he been asked in a courteous manner. Belau and Wa'ab's cultures have always promoted humility and inner strength and I am certain that the President does possess these fine qualities. The Philippines' officials’ aggressive act of "stepping-in" may have set off a hostile environment for all parties. Furthermore, their attempt to "isolate" the President from the situation only made it so the President was unable to decide for himself if he was willing to illustrate his strength and humility in complying to the airline's demands. I have a feeling that if he were privy to all the discussions he would have taken the high road, allowed himself to be frisked by the airline and make the airline look like a bunch of fools in the process. I am not disagreeing with the President's decision to refuse frisking...All I am saying is that, had someone in his entourage presented this side of the argument to him, he would have done the most Belauan thing to do. Let them feel empowered and frisk him, he is still the President of one of the most powerful nations of this region...they, on the other hand, will always be airline personnel.
We must understand that the airline was just doing what is required by the TSA. Continental is a U.S carrier and must comply with the TSA regulations at all times. I agree with Mike P's posting...
Remember, drink responsibly! Was the General drunk when he gave Notice of a bomb? I think that right there is a threat! To be honest I agreed to both sides until I heard the bomb threat made by this so called general. I think the US should investigate that man. As far as tommy is concerned, I'm thinking he was just trying to go with his host's decision, as he was given a one of a kind welcome into the country. I also understand Continental's side, US carrier... they break the law... it's their @ss.
To all my fellow forum readers, its a small situation, that both sides could have negotiated way before... not between the airline and the Pillipines, but US and PI.
That is a misleading healine! They didn't "dump" him. He stood up for himself (bless his heart) and defended his honor! What is with all these misleading healines?