"The nature, course and magnitude of this incident show that it is not an attempt to take over the government," Mrs. Arroyo said. "No unusual threats, directly or remotely related to the incident has been monitored."
In a hastily organized news conference at Malacañang hours after the incident, Mrs. Arroyo announced the alleged hostage takers — former Air Transportation Office (ATO) chief Panfilo Villaruel and Navy Lt. (sg) Ricardo Gatchillar — had been neutralized by the Special Operations Unit of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG).
"There’s no cause for alarm. The situation at NAIA-2 has been resolved," she declared.
Mrs. Arroyo earlier convened an emergency meeting with security officials early yesterday after police shot dead Villaruel and Gatchillar.
Villaruel was killed with Gatchillar after PNP-ASG operatives stormed the tower at 3 a.m. and took control about 30 minutes later.
Authorities did not give any motive for the takeover of the tower by both men but radio stations said Villaruel had called them to complain about alleged corruption within the government.
Mrs. Arroyo said Friday that some groups were trying to overthrow her government illegally by capitalizing on the constitutional crisis involving the impeachment of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
She warned that her government would use the full force of the law to stop the groups, which she did not identify.
While the hostage crisis was being resolved by airport g eneral manager Edgar Manda, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the Presidential Security Group to deploy at the scene to help out airport officials.
"I commend the swift and decisive response of our aviation and security units in this incident. They acted firmly. They acted firmly under established contingency plans and procedures to protect our national security," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo also deflected initial reactions that the two suspects were ready to "surrender" when they were cut down by the police assault team while being interviewed live and simulcast over dzBB and GMA-7 television by broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio.
The President sternly emphasized that nothing could justify the actions taken by Villaruel and Gatchillar in taking over the control tower of the airport.
"There is no excuse to terrorize the public in this manner," Mrs. Arroyo quipped.
He said that in the past, military rebels have been trying to take over the control tower because of its strategic importance.
"Taking over the control tower is just like taking over the airport," Ermita said.
Once the control tower is taken by the rebels, Ermita said they can announce to the whole world that they have already taken control of major government facilities.
Ermita recalled that rebel soldiers during the 1989 coup attempt tried to take over the NAIA facilities. He said taking over the control tower puts the rebels in a psychological advantage since it would gain them international attention to indicate they have gained a foothold in taking over the government.
Ermita, however, assured the people that the NAIA hostage incident was an isolated case.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also downplayed the bloody NAIA siege as an isolated police matter not related to any reported plots against the government.
AFP vice chief and spokesman Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia doused speculations that yesterday’s incident was just a prelude to a bigger and wider destabilization plot against the government.
"We have been monitoring what’s happening and all indications point that it is stable and normal," he said.
Garcia lauded the PNP-Aviation Security Group for decisively ending the over three-hour hostage crisis.
"The police did a good job. The situation is back to normal," Garcia said.
PNP community celations chief Director Ricardo de Leon also emphasized the incident was an isolated police matter.
"This (incident) should serve as a fair warning to others who pose danger to public safety," De Leon said.
She said the takeover was neutralized within three hours as compared to the 22 hours standoff with the rebel soldiers in the July 27 failed mutiny at the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center in Makati City.
In Lapu-Lapu City yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo impressed upon the international delegates that the airport facilities in the country remain safe and secure as exemplified by how the authorities handled the situation.
"I think I can assure the world, after we showed our swift action (early yesterday) that our airport is safe and sound. Let there be no doubt our physical security and stability," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo admitted knowing Villaruel personally. "I thought he was a friend," she said.
She confirmed though that Villaruel acted in his own even as the slain former official expressed his being disgruntled over corruption in the government.
"It seems to have been more of a personal act because the military, in fact, acted very swiftly and there have been no movements detected as a follow up (on) that activity," Mrs. Arroyo said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople also assured international travelers that the take over was just an isolated incident and that the situation is now normal.
"I would like to assure the members of the international community and our Filipinos overseas who may have friends or relatives traveling to the Philippines that all travelers are safe and flight operations have returned to normal," Ople said.
Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, however called for an investigation on the incident.
Spokesman Thompson Lantion said Mendoza was disappointed by the apparent laxity of security measures at the airport.
"There will be a massive and full investigation into the incident as to why they (Villaruel and Gatchillar) were allowed to the premises and why security was lax," Lantion said.
In radio interviews, Mendoza claimed the action taken against the suspects were justified, taking into consideration national interest and security.
PNP-ASG director Senior Superintendent Andres Caro said the two suspects entered the control tower Friday noon on pretense they were conducting a research study on the country’s air traffic.
"They were allowed by the guards to enter the 11-story air tower establishment at about 11:30 a.m. and were accommodated by our air traffic controllers because Villaruel was their former chief," Caro said.
Some congressmen led by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said the swift action taken by the administration to end the standoff "should serve as a deterrent to similar incidents."
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano said the incident displayed the government’s resoluteness as he dismissed claims it was part of a destabilization plot against the administration.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. however, urged authorities to dig deeper into the incident.
Pimentel said Malacanang and the AFP should conduct a thorough investigation into whether the control tower takeover was part of another destabilization plot.
Pimentel noted the seizure of an airport facility is one of the tactics of a classic coup attempt.
He pointed out Villaruel was a prominent personality who formerly held high positions in the government.
"(Retired) Colonel Villaruel was no ordinary government official. He was identified with then President Fidel V. Ramos," Pimentel said.
Pimentel said that it is important to find out whether Villaruel acted in concert with other people or with a group whose aim is to destabilize the government.
"While the President’s statement gives a sense of security to our people at these unsettling moments in the country, there should be a deeper and exhaustive inquiry of the incident if only to absolutely ascertain that there is no basis for the fear of another power grab or coup attempt," Pimentel said.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos said an investigation must also be conducted to determine whether there was violation of police rules of engagement.
"We must also immediately investigate the circumstances of their deaths in order to determine whether excessive force was utilized by the law enforcers," Marcos said. - With Perseus Echeminada, Christina Mendez, Jaime Laude, Rainier Allan Ronda, Mike Frialde, Edu Punay, AFP