'Max penalty' vs NAIA officer who swallowed stolen $300 backed
By J.Lo
"Any crime committed upon tourist is crime against our country deserving of punishment to fullest extent of the law," Department of Tourism (DOT) said in a statement DOT has thrown its support behind directive to impose maximum penalty on airport screener who allegedly stole $300 bills from Chinese passenger departing Manila.
DOT "strongly supports" pronouncement of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to mete out maximum penalty on airport personnel who committed "reprehensible act."
Department of Transportation (DOTr) is currently investigating Office of Transportation Security screener who was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage swallowing $300 bills stolen from foreign national at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has taken action by suspending both screener and her supervisor and temporarily revoking her seasonal access pass. Move comes as part of ongoing investigation into incident.
Screener's supervisor intervened, "seemingly communicating with her" as she was "almost choking in her effort to swallow dollar bills" to "apparently ensure that bills were properly disposed of no evidence," according to MIAA.
OTS screener denied she stole missing cash and claimed she swallowed chocolate.
OTS administrator Undersecretary Ma Aplasca and OTS fact finding committee, were not convinced. They said screener in question struggled to swallow item believed to be cash.
"Hindi naman normal na kumain ng tsokolate, hirap na hirap at tinutulak pa nya ng tubig…hindi mo kailangan ng tubig," he said. Eating chocolate like that isn't normal. It seemed difficult for her to swallow, and she needed water to do so. Normally, you don't need water for chocolate.
In March, MIAA had already banned OTS personnel from using pockets due to instances of passenger theft.
OTS also said two other screening personnel appeared to be involved in alleged theft.
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