Law Summary

Introduction

This document serves as a directive issued by the Philippine government in response to the escalating threat posed by aircraft hijackings, necessitating the establishment of a structured approach to enhance airport security and civil aviation safety.

Establishment of the National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking

• Legal Principle: The Letter of Instructions (LOI) establishes a National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking under the leadership of the Secretary of National Defense.
• Purpose: To formulate, coordinate, integrate, direct, control, and supervise measures aimed at preventing and suppressing hijacking incidents.
• Composition: The committee comprises key government officials including the Secretaries of National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Public Works, Transportation and Communication, Justice, and Public Information, along with heads of relevant agencies.

Objectives of the Committee

• Key Objectives:
  • Ensure the safe and continuous operation of civil aviation.
  • Manage all hijacking incidents, including immediate and follow-up actions until resolution.
• Approach: A "total systems approach" is mandated to address the hijacking problem comprehensively.

Measures to be Implemented

• Organizational Requirements:

  • Establish an adequate organization for planning and implementation at all levels.
  • Create a control and coordinating center for immediate responses from all tasked units or agencies.
  • Clearly delineate authority and functions among participating entities.

• Media Guidelines: Formulate guidelines for the mass media on reporting hijacking incidents to avoid undermining anti-hijacking efforts.

Authority and Coordination

• Inter-Agency Collaboration: The Committee is authorized to call upon other government departments, bureaus, offices, and civilian airlines for assistance in implementing the measures outlined in the LOI.

Conclusion

The LOI serves as a crucial framework for combating aircraft hijacking, emphasizing coordinated efforts among various government sectors to enhance security and manage incidents effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Creation of a National Action Committee led by the Secretary of National Defense to combat hijacking threats.
• Emphasis on a total systems approach to ensure the safety of civil aviation.
• Requirement for inter-agency collaboration and clear organizational structures for effective response to hijacking incidents.
• Guidelines for media reporting to protect the integrity of anti-hijacking operations.