OTS screener raps looms
By J.Lo
"How to 'Love Philippines' if we are like this?" Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said, referring to the country's new tourism campaign slogan.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered Office of Transportation Security to file criminal and administrative complaints against OTS screener who was recorded on video swallowing $300 in bills allegedly stolen from departing Chinese passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista dismayed over alleged theft incident at NAIA, he has been trying to promote to potential investors who may want to operate country's main getaway.
Bautista directed DOTr Undersecretary for legal Reinier Yebra to assist in filing complaints against those found to have connived in stealing from hand-carried bag of passenger.
Bautista also authorized imposition of maximum penalty on those who will be found guilty, to show DOTr's commitment to rid NAIA as well as other agencies of scalawags.
Reports said three OTS personnel were being investigated following incident.
OTS conducted inspection of all personnel at the airport after Chinese passenger complained that his $300 was missing.
Upon checking closed-circuit television footage, female OTS screener was seen putting the cash in her mouth and then covering it with handkerchief apparently to hide evidence.
According to OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez, screener was relieved and her access pass confiscated.
Marquez said around 60 OTS personnel have been dismissed, suspended or reprimanded from July 1, 2022 to Sept. 20, 2023. Twelve cases of erring employees are being reviewed.
Woman claimed she merely swallowed piece of chocolate.
Senators expressed anger over alleged theft incident involving OTS employee at NAIA Terminal 1.
Sen. Grace Poe, chairs Senate public service committee, said this is yet another "gimmick" of corrupt personnel at the airport.
Poe said OTS screener may have been ordered by her cohorts to swallow money stolen from passenger.
She also urged authorities to properly vet applicants to OTS.
Villanueva said authorities should subject all airport personnel to retraining, and identify screener's cohorts in "airport mafia."
"How can we convince tourists to love the Philippines if upon landing at airport, their security will be at risk…let's give them happy experience, not horror story," Villanueva said.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito would study bill seeking to increase compensation for OTS personnel so they would not be tempted to steal from passengers.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) is investigating Office of Transportation Security (OTS) screener who was caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage swallowing $300 in $100 bills reportedly stolen from departing Chinese passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Bautista assured public screener will be meted appropriate sanctions.
"I am saddened and very disappointed by such embarrassing deeds," he said.
OTS administrator Ma. O Aplasca said CCTV footage, which office received on Sept. 14,w2023, can support filing of administrative case against screener, who denied allegations.
"We cannot arrest her because we did not catch her in act," Aplasca said, adding screener cannot be named at this time.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has suspended screener and her supervisor as well as confiscated her seasonal access pass pending the results of investigation into incident.
MIAA prohibited pockets for OTS personnel in March over cases of passenger theft.
CCTV footage showed that at around 8:20 in the evening on Sept. 8, Chinese passenger, identified only as Mr. Cai, placed his shoulder bag on inspection tray at final security checkpoint.
As Cai passed through body scanner, screener could be seen conducting manual search of his bag on inspection table.
MIAA reported screener "suspiciously turned away while apparently holding something in left hand with her fist tightly closed. She then swiftly placed something in her… waist area and went back to inspection table."
Cai had returned to screening area and complained after discovering that his wallet was open and his money was missing.
Passenger confronted screener, who turned her back on him. In footage taken by another CCTV camera, she was "clearly seen deliberately swallowing dollar bills, folded into one small piece" as she used handkerchief to cover her mouth.
Screener was seen having difficulty swallowing bills despite drinking water from bottle given to her by colleague, MIAA reported.
Screener's supervisor approached her, "seemingly communicating with her" as she was "almost choking in her effort to swallow dollar bills" to "apparently ensure bills were properly disposed of no evidence," according to MIAA.
Cai has refused to file charges against screener.
Bautista called for strong action against security officer who was caught on CCTV footage swallowing $300 in $100 bills allegedly stolen from departing Chinese passenger at NAIA.
DOTr said Bautista had authorized Yebra, to lead filing of formal complaints against those involved in alleged theft.
"Secretary has authorized imposing maximum penalty to those found guilty to demonstrate department's determined push to rid NAIA as well as other attached agencies of scalawags," he said.
MIAA reported screener, while holding something in her left hand and concealing it near her waist, turned away. Mr. Cai then discovered his wallet open and money gone.
Despite screener's efforts and drinking water given by colleague, she struggled to swallow bills.
Screener's supervisor intervened, "seemingly communicating with her" as she was "almost choking in her effort to swallow dollar bills" to "apparently ensure bills were properly disposed of no evidence," according to MIAA.
Both screener and her supervisor have been suspended, and their access passes have been revoked as authorities investigate incident.
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