OTS chief heeds call, resigns
‘We cannot let these atrocious activities and other acts of misconduct at the airport continue to take place. It’s bad for the country and the economy’
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‘We cannot let these atrocious activities and other acts of misconduct at the airport continue to take place. It’s bad for the country and the economy’
The chief of the Office for Transportation Security filed his courtesy resignation Tuesday following the issue involving an airport security who allegedly tried to swallow $300 stolen from a passenger.
In a letter addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., USec Ma O Aplasca he rendered his resignation following the pronouncement by House speaker martin Romualdez that he will block the approval of the OTS budget and the Department of Transportation if he does not leave his post.
"I am not in any way ready to sacrifice my organization but I consider this as a noble undertaking for a greater interest," he said.
Romualdez on Monday demanded his resignation for failing to put an end to the nefarious activities of the Security Screening Officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's.
"You better resign or else I will be the one myself who will block the approval of the OTS budget," Romualdez said.
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The House leader aired his frustration on Aplasca in the wake of reports of the latest incidence of money theft by a female OTS security scanner from a departing tourist. The OTS chief should submit his courtesy resignation under the principle of command responsibility to make way for a full revamp at the airport security office.
"Naka-strike three na ang OTS chief. We are already fed up with these reports of stealing and other acts of wrongdoing at the airport, for which OTS officials and their DoTr supervisors are ultimately responsible. A top-to-bottom overhaul is needed," he added.
"We cannot let these atrocious activities and other acts of misconduct at the airport continue to take place. It's bad for the country and the economy," Romualdez also stated.
The Speaker pointed out that a foreigner, whether they are a tourist or a potential investor, gets their first exposure to the Philippines and its people when they encounter a government employee who processes them at the port of entry.
"This is an ugly incident that will certainly leave a discouraging and lasting impression. This is the reason why the government should deploy the finest personnel at ports of entry," he said.
It would be recalled that in March, when money was stolen by the SSO from a Thai tourist at NAIA Terminal 2, the leader of the 311-member House of Representatives recommended a complete revamp of OTS.
Romualdez even recommended that the DoTr replace the entire OTS staff and only rehire individuals who would pass a rigorous screening procedure based on their honesty, effectiveness and integrity.
OTS and responsible DoTr officials committed to undertaking sweeping reforms.
"What has happened to those commitments? Where are the reforms?" Speaker Romualdez asked.
The Speaker also said that DpoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista should closely watch his own backyard. Every now and then, they still hear of nefarious activities, aviation glitches, power equipment malfunctions and disruptions, and similar nasty things taking place at the airport.
