Philippine airport screening officer Irency Morados  found guilty of stealing $300 bill from foreign passenger 

Morados was caught on CCTV swallowing the said money

 By Edward Era Barbacena 

Philippine Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista announced that the security screening officer Irency Morados who was caught on closed circuit television (CCTV) swallowing a roll money of $300 bills was found guilty of theft.

Bautista was informed that aside from Morados. three other personnel of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) are now facing administrative and criminal charges.

Bautista said the investigation report has been forwarded to his office indicating that there was actually an illegal activity among screening officers 

The $300 bills were allegedly stolen from a foreign passenger where upon reviewing the CCTV footage a morados was seen in the act of swallowing something.

Despite of the CCTV footage as a solid evidence, Morados denied the accusation against her and insisted that she only swallowed a whole chocolate.

The said incident caused the resignation of OTS administrator Ma. Aplasca after House Speaker Martin Romualdez said that he will personally block the agency's budget if he does not leave.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe will summon the OTS to strictly implement a one-strike policy against its personnel and officers who are involved in any type of modus operandi or criminality, particularly stealing from passengers.

Poe said that when such a proposal is implemented, the undersirables will be "pulled out" from the ranks of good individuals and they will help maintain the integrity of the office that has been tainted by corruption and controversy.

"What we need in our airports are security guards, not thieves," said Poe.

The chairperson of the Senate committee on public services said that tough actions should be implemented against corrupt personnel to send a signal that the office is serious about reforming their ranks.

"The investigation must be conducted quickly and based on solid evidence that leaves no room for interference," he said.

According to Poe, the last incident of swallowing $300 allegedly stolen from a passenger to carry out the illegal act cannot be justified.

The senator further asserted that the OTS should be boldly shown to be conducting a shake-up of its system which has been shrouded in malfeasance and corruption for many years.

Poe also suggested reviewing the recruitment policy along with conducting a thorough background check on current employees.

The agency also needs to act to improve employee compensation and benefits, the senator added.

“We need to identify the rotten eggs that is destroying the image of OTS. Honest personnel who are honestly doing their duty are aggravated and this will be an hindrance when it come to delivering and providing better services to our people," according to Poe.