(L-R) Stephen Bartolo and James Timtim Demie from the Office for Transportation Security

MANILA, Philippines — In a CCTV footage on March 28, a baggage screener is seen checking the baggage of a passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

At past seven o’clock in the evening of the same date, the airport police received a report from a Japanese national that 1,700 Australian dollars (AUD) were missing from his wallet.

The airport police immediately acted on the report and summoned the two baggage screeners.

The two screeners did not admit to said stealing which prompted the airport police to check their pockets and recover AUD300.

The two were identified as Stephen Bartolo and James Timtim Demie, both personnel of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS).

The two were charged with qualified theft or violation of Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code.

The OTS decided to dismiss the two who were just eight months in their job.

The investigation is still ongoing because authorities have only recovered AUD300 while AUD1400 is still missing.

The transport security office believes that the two screeners are in connivance with other personnel in the area.

The OTS clarified that screeners are not authorized to touch things inside the passengers’ baggage especially if there are no prohibited items found inside the baggage.

“Actually intentional talaga. Hindi naman natin masasabi na hindi intentional dahil makikita mo sa CCTV talagang intentional yung actions nila. Hinawakan nila,” said PSSupt. Napoleon Cuaton, the head executive assistant.

(It was actually intentional. We can’t say it wasn’t because the CCTV shows their actions were intentional. They touched the luggage.)

The OTS advises passengers to immediately report to the airport police if they are missing any items after undergoing airport inspection.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal expressed disappointment at what happened.

“Nakakahiya at ganitong mga pangyayari ay nangyayari pa rin although it seems to be an isolated one. Pero sa lahat ng nangyari na positibo sa ating paliparan at may tatama na namang ganitong isang dagok sa atin ay nakakahiya,” said Monreal.

(It’s embarrassing that things like this continue to occur although it seems to be an isolated one. Despite all the positive reports we receive about the airport, if a setback like this hits us, it’s really embarrassing.)

Currently, MIAA supervises the deployment of all baggage screeners in the airport while the OTS is responsible for the recruitment, training and giving disciplinary action to OTS personnel.

Aside from qualified theft, the two screeners will be charged with an administrative case. — Mon Jocson | UNTV News & Rescue

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