In a video posted by the victim, a Thailand national, on social media, the Security Screening Officer (SSO) was seen returning 20,000 yen or around P8,000 to passengers and pleaded for him to delete the video.
A video also showed two OTS staff inserting something in their pockets after a security checkpoint.
“The OTS took immediate actions to identify the involved SSOs. Subsequently, they were relieved from their duty and were placed under preventive suspension. OTS investigators are now preparing to file the appropriate administrative cases. We would also like to pursue the filing of a criminal case against them and we will seek the cooperation of the victimized foreign nationals to expedite the filing of an airtight case,” the OTS said.
“This illegal act will not be tolerated and we will apply the full force of the law to penalize the perpetrators. They shall not only be dismissed from the service but shall also be put behind bars for their criminal acts that tarnish the reputation and integrity not only of OTS but the entire country in general,” it added.
Since July 2022, the OTS said 14 personnel were dismissed and three were suspended amid their internal cleansing program.
It said six cases are currently being resolved by their legal service.
These cases range from violation of the OTS No Tipping Policy, violation in the proper disposal of intercepted prohibited items, extortion, rude behavior, and use of mobile phones while on duty.
The OT assured that they will exhaust all available strategies to correct the lapses in their operations. (SunStar Philippines)