In a video posted on social media on Feb. 22, a feminine screener was seen placing one thing within the pocket of a male screener. The identical feminine personnel allegedly took the cash of a international passenger.
The video additionally confirmed that the feminine personnel returned the cash, which the OTS stated was 20,000 yen or round PHP8,000.
In a TV interview on Monday, OTS administrator Ma. O. Aplasca stated the sufferer is a Thai.
“We identified at least five personnel who were involved. They were immediately relieved of their duties and are under preventive suspension while we initiate the conduct of a formal investigation,” Aplasca stated.
The official stated the OTS will pursue the executive case, and can be contemplating submitting a felony case.
“I think we should also exert an effort to file a criminal case. I look at it as a criminal offense already, which we cannot tolerate,” he stated.
Aplasca admitted it was not the primary time that screening personnel have been concerned in alleged extortion. Since July 2022, the OTS had already dismissed 14 employees, whom Aplasca estimates that round 4 have been concerned in extortion.
The different violations of erring personnel embody the improper disposal of intercepted prohibited objects, impolite conduct, violation of the “No Tipping” coverage, amongst others.
Extortion instances have been confirmed upon evaluate of the CCTV footage, he stated.
Aplasca stated the OTS is doing what it will probably to enhance the monetary advantages of its personnel, and added {that a} meager wage shouldn’t be a cause for anomalies or corruption.