The Manila International Airport Authority yesterday revealed that it has ordered the vetting of all personnel serving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to weed out those who may be predisposed to committing shenanigans.

MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong told reporters that he has also greenlighted the installation of an additional high-resolution closed-circuit TV camera on top of the screening machine in the transit area of NAIA Terminal 2.

Chiong said he had the extra camera installed, as well as caused the removal of the film covering the glass panels to make more visible the actions of passengers and airport workers.

On 22 February, personnel of the Office of Transportation Security at NAIA 2 were caught on a video purportedly stealing money from a passenger from Thailand.

The theft happened while the Thai was passing through the security screening procedure at the transit area for those who are catching connecting flights.

At NAIA Terminal 1, an OTS screening officer, identified as 31-year-old Valeriano Diaz Ricaplaza, was arrested Wednesday evening after being accused of stealing the wristwatch of a Chinese national.

A review of the CCTV made Ricaplaza own up to the theft which he initially denied committing.

Chiong said that the MIAA is conducting a thorough inspection of all NAIA terminals to improve the deployment of CCTV cameras to ensure there are no “blind spots.”

He pointed out that the use of CCTV cameras has proven to be a strong deterrence against the commission of crimes at NAIA, aside from being instrumental in catching airport crooks in the act.

The MIAA chief mandated the strict implementation of the ban on airport workers bringing bags into their areas of assignment, as well as the no-pocket policy for uniforms and jackets of NAIA workers.

OTS chief Undersecretary Ma-O Aplasca said Ricaplaza was placed under the custody of the police’s Aviation Security Group.

Aplasca assured Chiong that the OTS would file the necessary criminal complaints against its erring personnel.

In February, NAIA screeners also came under criticism for having videos and photos taken of the members of a visiting foreign band.

Chiong said that while workers who found themselves on hot water are not employees of the MIAA, they are all accountable to the agency as airport workers.

As such, he said he is constantly in communication with agencies operating in the airport, like the OTS, immigration, customs, airport police and the Aviation Security Group on how to ensure their workers are not involved in illegal activities.