Cathay offloads 'unruly' consul
By Rudy Santos (The Philippine Star) Updated April 24, 2012 12:00 AM
MANILA,
Philippines - A Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific flight turned back shortly after
takeoff yesterday from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and was
delayed by half an hour to offload what airline crew said was an “unruly”
honorary Filipino consul.
Businessman
Francis Chua was offloaded because he refused to fasten his seatbelt, Cathay
Pacific said.
The
airline said Chua, an honorary consul of Peru, introduced himself as a special
Philippine envoy to China for trade and investment. Such appointments, given by
the Arroyo administration, were scrapped by President Aquino when he assumed
power.
Cathay
Pacific cabin crew said Chua, also known as Ang Biao, was asked to fasten his
seatbelt as the aircraft taxied for takeoff at noon.
When he
refused, the crew alerted the pilot, Captain Brian Hall, and flight officer
Warren Hayman, who decided to turn the plane around.
As the
Boeing 747 returned to the airport terminal, Chua left his seat and reportedly
climbed up the spiral staircase to the upper deck and tried to enter the
cockpit, in an apparent attempt to talk to the pilot.
A
struggle reportedly ensued as the cabin crew restrained Chua from entering the
cockpit.
Upon
being offloaded, Chua was brought to the Police Center for Aviation Security
where he was investigated.
Superintendent
Manuel Pintado, senior chief of the police center, said under Republic Act
9497, which created the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP),
Chua could be held liable for a terrorism-related offense.
Chua was
to be brought to the CAAP office, but until late yesterday afternoon, no formal
complaint against him had been filed. Sources said several individuals were
interceding on his behalf.
Flight
CX-900 finally left for Hong Kong at 2:30 p.m.
Cathay
Pacific filed a report, declaring: “Chua was an unruly passenger, who would not
obey any command from the cabin crew. Verbal warning was given but to no avail.
Return to (parking) bay to offload passenger. Passenger was repeatedly asked to
fasten seatbelt but he refused and then during the taxi back to bay, he climbed
the stairs to the upper deck to gain entry to the cockpit. He was prevented
from doing so by cabin crew.”
Born in
Jinjiang, Fujian, China, Chua is an honorary president of the Federation of
Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and president emeritus
of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Foundation.
He is
president of Philippine Satellite Corp. and vice chairman of Mabuhay Satellite
Corp.
