By Alec Go
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said it is intensifying its security reviews and measures following the recent theft incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In its March 1 statement, the MIAA denounced the pocketing of money and the stealing of a watch by Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Security Screening Officers in two separate incidents on Feb. 22 and March 1.
“Even though these people manning the screening areas are employees of the OTS and not of the MIAA, they still operate in NAIA which we administer,” MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong said.
“It happened under our roof, so it is critical that we resolve these issues so as not to cause alarm among passengers and affect their confidence to travel to the Philippines. More importantly, it negates all efforts of the MIAA to improve the image of NAIA,” he added.
More cameras were also installed on top of the screening machine at the Terminal 2’s transit area after the pocketing incident. The MIAA also ordered the film cover of a glass panel to be removed for transparency.
Blind spots across all terminals were also reviewed for CCTV deployment.
“We are trying to remove all possible forms of obstruction. This is one of our major deterrents to illegal acts such as pilferage or theft. These facility changes will not be limited to Terminal 2,” Chiong said.
The MIAA said it is working with the OTS on the vetting process and background checking on its personnel, while the service standard policies for agencies at the NAIA complex will be strictly enforced.
These includes prohibiting the bring of bags by personnel who directly interact with passengers and the implementation of a ‘no pocket policy’ for uniforms and jackets
Chiong said OTS Administrator Undersecretary Ma. O Aplasca assured the filing of criminal charges against the involved personnel, saying that the “theft violates the trust and integrity required of public servants, and has serious negative consequences for the airport, its stakeholders, and the country as a whole.”
“We thank the Airport Police Department, Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group, and the management of the Office for Transportation Security for their quick response, which resulted in the arrest of the erring personnel,” he said. – gb
