Bautista orders filing of charges vs NAIA screening officer in dollar-swallowing incident
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has ordered the filing of criminal and administrative charges against a screening personnel who was caught swallowing the $300 bill she allegedly stole from a baggage at the Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Bautista was reportedly furious about the incident since it happened while he was busy encouraging foreign investors to operate and maintain the NAIA as part of the privatization of the operation of the country’s main gateway.

Screengrab from CCTV footage provided by NAIA source
“The Secretary directed the Undersecretary for Legal Atty. Reinier Yebra to assist in filing the complaints against those determined to have connived in stealing from the hand-carried bag of a Chinese passenger,” a statement from the Department of Transportation read.
The incident happened on Sept. 8 and the theft was confirmed by CCTV footage showing a female screening security officer apparently swallowing the dollar bills to hide the evidence.
For his part, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officer-in-charge Bryan Co said the Office of the Transportation Security has already concluded the investigation into the incident against the erring personnel whom he said is currently under preventive suspension
“Airport frontliners whose actions completely negate MIAA’s efforts to improve the service levels in our airport, have no place in NAIA,” said Co.
“We trust the leadership of the Office for Transportation Security. Their immediate request for viewing of the CCTV footage shortly after the incident happened, is a manifestation of their resolve to take quick action against erring personnel. We believe that they are doing what is necessary to police their ranks and protect the reputation of the greater majority of frontliners who remain true to their oath of office,” he added.
Bautista, on the other hand, has authorized imposing the maximum penalty to those found guilty to demonstrate the Department's determined push to rid NAIA as well as other attached agencies of scalawags. (With Ariel Fernandez)