OTS screener guilty of stealing $300 charged of criminal and admin complaints
By J.Lo
"OTS must improve its system at the point of hiring, review its recruitment policies and enforce ethics training…employees must undergo extensive background checks," Sen. Grace Poe, chairs Senate committee on public services noted in long-term, we should also look at providing better compensation and benefits to these employees so they would not resort to stealing."
Screener of Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has been found liable for stealing $300 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Department of Transportation.
Female sceener was recorded on closed-circuit television footage swallowing dollar bills reportedly stolen from departing Chinese tourist at NAIA.
"Investigation showed employee swallowed cash…she claims in her affidavit she was eating chocolate, but probers found her guilty," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters after Senate hearing.
OTS screener and her three accomplices are facing administrative and criminal complaints, Bautista said.
Poe said OTS needs to be overhauled following resignation of administrator Ma. O Aplasca.
Speaker Martin Romualdez had called for Aplasca's resignation amid reported cases of theft at country's main gateway.
"Resignation at the top does not clean up OTS ranks…more than ever, agency needs steady leadership to implement much-needed reforms," Poe said.
As to date, more than half of OTS manpower are contractual personnel, with only 475 with permanent status.
Poe said permanent solution to stop illegal activities involving OTS personnel is security of tenure and salary increase.
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