House panel urged to probe thefts at Naia

This file photo shows passengers who arrived in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 a few days before Christmas on their way to waiting buses. INQUIRER/LYN RILLON

The House of Representatives transportation panel has been asked to conduct an inquiry on the “rampant” theft and other unethical behavior toward tourists allegedly by security personnel at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. filed House Resolution No. 818 seeking a congressional probe, particularly by the House committee on transportation, on Office for Transportation Security (OTS) screening officers allegedly stealing from and committing other illegal activities against tourists going through Naia.

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Haresco said that since July last year, the OTS has dismissed 14 erring personnel and suspended three others. The latest victims were a Thai tourist who allegedly lost 20,000 yen (around P8,000) allegedly to OTS security screening officers and the March 1 theft allegedly by OTS personnel of a smartwatch from a Chinese tourist.

“These unlawful acts do not only undermine the vision of our government to promote tourism, but also taint the good reputation of the Filipino people and the country in general,” Haresco said. —Jeannette I. Andrade