OTS probing alleged theft by its personnel at Naia

The facade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. This photo was taken in 2022. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged theft of $300 from a passenger on Sept. 8 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1  is now under investigation, the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) said in a statement issued on Monday.

“As of writing time, the OTS has identified the personnel concerned and that gathering of evidence is ongoing. We shall provide updates on the progress of the investigation as soon as they become available,” the OTS said.

The OTS is working closely with the Manila International Airport Authority, and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security, adding that it will take the appropriate administrative actions once the allegations have been verified.

Meanwhile, the OTS administrator, Transportation Undersecretary Ma.O Aplasca, encouraged informants to report illegal activities committed by OTS personnel.

“When a previous incident of theft was reported at the security screening checkpoint, we did not hesitate to remove people from our ranks and prosecute the termites who are ruining the image of the government,” he said.

“We ourselves would have our people imprisoned. We even reported them to the public so that others would not follow suit. We also ordered the removal of the jackets and the pockets of their uniforms, as a preventive measure to avoid theft, but it seems that there are still a few left who are not doing well.”

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ATM