‘We’re here to secure airport, not to make money off it’

If you’re involved in a racket, you might as well turn in your badge and switch careers.

The newly-installed head of the Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) on Thursday gave this piece of advice to airport policemen, saying he has zero tolerance for corruption, as well as substance use.

“We are here at the airport to secure it, not to make money out of it,” Senior Supt. Mao Aplasca told reporters, referring to all airports nationwide, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), which have long been fertile grounds for racketeers.

The Avsegroup director said any aviation policeman found to be involved in illegal activities would be dealt with harshly.

“They (racketeers) can always resign and leave the force.  They could just become businessmen if they are really into moneymaking,” he said.

A number of unscrupulous Avsegroup personnel had been linked to extortion and solicitation activities, with some moonlighting in the foreign currency exchange black market in international airports.

Last year, two Avsegroup men were investigated for offering to convert arriving passengers’ foreign currency into peso at the baggage conveyor area, bypassing bank outlets and legitimate money changers at Naia.

Foreign exchange dealers or money changers are required to register with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas before they can operate.  With Janine Perea, trainee