Senator 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, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, has 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 back corporations in China,” he said.

In explaining his objection, Tulfo cited an alleged statement by Ret. Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss, former Philippine Air Force Chief & former CAAP Director, who said that such proposal would transfer CAAP’s power to monitor and control all flights inside the Flight Information Region (FIR) to a private entity that could have vested interests.

Hotchkiss purportedly noted that every country has an FIR where they control the information navigation and alert system. 

He stressed that this was “bigger than our maritime zone and territorial land areas combined.” 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, he said.

In opposing the proposed privatization, Tulfo also noted that influential 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,” he stressed.

The Senator from Isabela and Davao vowed that he will exhaust all means to stop any attempt to privatize Philippines’ air traffic system.

He is also set to file a Senate resolution to investigate the proposed privatization and find ways to improve the local traffic system without removing government control.