A female Naia security officer swallowing the missing $300. (MIAA CCTV Screengrab courtesy of Raoul Esperas)
MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista has ordered the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) to file charges against the security screener accused of stealing and swallowing $300 from a departing passenger.
On September 8, a checkpoint supervisor reported that a passenger lost $300 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1. CCTV footage showed a female security officer stealing and swallowing the missing cash.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Bautista has already directed Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Reinier Yebra will assist in filing complaints against the personnel and those involved in the theft incident.
“The Secretary has authorized imposing the maximum penalty to those found guilty to demonstrate the Department’s determined push to rid Naia as well as other attached agencies of scalawags,” he said.
Meanwhile, the OTS has already placed the personnel under preventive suspension, pending investigation, also recommending to legally and administratively charge the security screener.