Enforce one-strike rule in OTS, Poe urges

Senator Grace Poe. (File picture from Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) must enforce a one-strike policy for personnel who commit offenses, a senator said Thursday.

According to Senator Grace Poe, the one-strike policy will give the office a good reputation.

OTS was recently involved in a scandal after one of its personnel swallowed an alleged US $300 worth of bills she supposedly stole from a Chinese tourist.

This incident was captured in a closed-circuit television camera video.

“Ang kailangan natin sa ating mga airport ay mga bantay sa ating seguridad, hindi bantay-salakay,” Poe said in a statement on Thursday.

(What we need in our airports are guards to our security, not those who wait for the chance to do wrongful acts.)

Poe reminded OTS to perform its duty to restore public trust by conducting changes in its recruitment policies, background checks on its current employees, and investigating those involved in infractions.

“We have to distinguish the bad eggs who are spoiling the image of the OTS,” she said.

“This is not fair to those faithfully doing their duties and a stumbling block in providing better service to our people,” she added.

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