Senators want probe over ‘never-ending gimmicks’ of airport officials at NAIA

Unscrupulous activities of airport officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport must be put to an end, senators said Thursday.

In separate statements, Senators Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa demanded an investigation into the new scheme of airport screening officers to steal valuable items from passengers at the country's main gateway.

Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, condemned the incident which she described as "infuriating and embarrassing".

"It seems that they [airport officials] never run out of gimmicks to steal money at the airport," she said referring to the viral video involving an Office for Transportation Security personnel who was seen swallowing $300 that she allegedly stole from a Chinese passenger at the NAIA Terminal 1.

She noted that the CCTV footage of the incident may not be able to capture the whole story.

"There are reports indicating that the OTS personnel was ordered to do that to avoid being caught. That means that she might have cohorts there," she said.

Poe expressed hope that the authorities would immediately identify those involved in the criminal activities in the airport.

"We ask the airport security office to properly vet applicants and reinterview existing employees to determine their qualifications and evaluate their performance," she said.

"The airport leadership should immediately investigate, file cases and fire employees found involved in criminal activities. Those who violate the law must be punished at once," she added.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva echoed the same sentiment, adding that the incident would drive tourists away from visiting the country.

"How to 'Love the Philippines' if we are like this?" Villanueva said. "How can we convince tourists to love the Philippines if upon their arrival here their safety is already at risk?"

"Let us give them a happy experience, not a horror story," he added.

Villanueva called on the Department of Transportation to look into the matter and file cases against those who are proven involved in the scheme.

"We need to know if she has accomplices in committing crimes to end the mafia of erring officials in the airport," he said.

He also urged the department to conduct retraining and assessment programs for airport personnel.

"They also need to be more careful in accepting applicants to ensure that the government is not employing thieves," he added.

For his part, Dela Rosa said the OTS and DoTr should work hand in hand to "get to the bottom of this newly discovered modus operandi at NAIA."

"We are hurting our own reputation before the international arena if this crime is not being addressed immediately," he said.