Physically challenged writer sues airline

Manila: A case for discrimination has been filed by a physically challenged writer against a carrier after she was denied a seat in a flight because of her condition.

A local report said the Commission on Human Rights will sue regional carrier Cebu Pacific Airlines on the basis of a complaint filed by Katrina Segundo Casiño, a woman afflicted with a certain disability.

In filing the case against the carrier, Casiño cited provisions of the country's law safeguarding the rights of persons with disability, the Magna Carta for the Disabled.

Casiño, a Central Philippines-based writer who had been given a presidential award in 1999 for her efforts to uplift the status of persons with disabilities, had booked a flight with Cebu Pacific in August 2007, the Sunstar daily reported. But while waiting for her boarding pass, the airline staff informed her that the carrier has a policy requiring persons with certain disabilities to travel with a companion.

Pressed for time, and unable to find someone to accompany her, Casino was running out of options.

In filing the case against Cebu Pacific, Casino condemned the lack of compassion showed by the carrier to people with disabilities like her.