21-9-2023 (MANILA) Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has called for decisive action against a security officer caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage allegedly swallowing $300 in $100 bills, which were believed to have been stolen from a departing Chinese passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that Secretary Bautista had authorized lawyer Reinier Yebra, the undersecretary for legal affairs, to spearhead the filing of formal complaints against those implicated in the alleged theft.
The Office of Transportation Security (OTS) has begun the investigation on the alleged theft by one of its security screening officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 ,as she was caught on CCTV stuffing $300 worth of cash into her mouth. pic.twitter.com/rITdKR0nb0
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 20, 2023
Bautista emphasized the need for imposing the maximum penalty on those found guilty to demonstrate the department’s unwavering commitment to eradicating malfeasance at NAIA and its affiliated agencies.
The incident in question took place on September 8 at NAIA Terminal 1, where a checkpoint supervisor reported the disappearance of $300 from the belongings of a departing passenger identified as Mr. Cai.
Subsequent examination of CCTV footage revealed a security screener surreptitiously removing money from Mr. Cai’s bag during the security screening process.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the screener, while holding something in her left hand and concealing it near her waist, turned away. Mr. Cai later discovered that his wallet was open, and the money had vanished.
Despite her attempts and the assistance of a colleague who provided water, the screener struggled to ingest the dollar bills.
The screener’s supervisor intervened, seemingly communicating with her, as she appeared to have difficulty swallowing the bills, according to MIAA. Their actions were aimed at ensuring the bills were disposed of, leaving no evidence behind.
