Senators expressed concerns about travelers’ safety following the recent incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where an Office of Transportation Security (OTS) employee was caught swallowing stolen money.
“Sadly, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred at the airport, and it highlights the prevalence of criminal activities that need to be addressed,” said Senator Joel Villanueva.
“To attract more tourists to the Philippines, the airport must provide a happy (positive) experience, not a horror story,” he said.
Villanueva asked the Department of Transportation to conduct a thorough investigation, and if found guilty, the OTS personnel
involved in the crime should be fired immediately.
Airport authorities said earlier they are looking at the possibility that a syndicate is behind incidents of theft at the airport.
Senator Grace Poe said it is crucial to identify any accomplices involved in the incident to curb the airport’s criminal mafia.
She said the airport security screening personnel should undergo retraining and assessment, and applicants should be evaluated to avoid
hiring thieves.
Poe said the CCTV may not reveal the entire story, and reports suggest that other airport personnel in the area ordered the SSO to do that to
avoid detection.
The airport security office should vet applicants and re-interview employees to assess their qualifications and performance, she said.
OTS administrator Ma. O Aplasca meanwhile said the OTS is “enhancing” its baggage inspection procedure to prevent theft by screening personnel Aplasca told TeleRadyo Serbisyo that these are being implemented after a baggage screener at the NAIA was caught on camera apparently swallowing bills
pilfered from a passenger’s bag.
He added screening officers are not allowed to open bags without the passenger watching.
OTS has also asked the Manila International Airport Authority to install a security camera for the inspection area.