Philippine Airport Security Extortion: A New Problem for Authorities
Recent events at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the Philippines has shed light on a new problem for authorities – airport security personnel engaging in extortion of money from foreign travellers.
On Monday (27 February), the Department of Transportation (DOT) relieved from duty five security personnel who were caught on a viral video allegedly taking around ¥20,000 (S$200) from a Thai tourist. The incident was witnessed by another Thai tourist, who then posted videos of the incident on Facebook, triggering a massive outcry from the public.
In a statement, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said that the agency will address the issue accordingly by filing criminal complaints against the security personnel. It also emphasised that those involved will not only be dismissed from the service but will also be put behind bars for their criminal acts. It vowed to find other strategies to solve the problem.
Senator Grace Poe, Senate Public Services Committee chairperson, urged the OTS to look into the salary of its security officers, saying it could be the prime motive why these people are committing such crimes. She said, “There’s no excuse for doing illegal acts. But in reality, if you’re in need, one is more likely to commit crimes like this.”
Since July 2022, 14 OTS personnel have been dismissed while three others were suspended due to various offences, from violating the agency’s “no tipping policy” to rude behaviour.
The incident has raised questions about the security of the Philippine airport and the effectiveness of the OTS in preventing such crimes from happening. It also serves as a reminder for travellers to be extra vigilant when travelling in the country.
The OTS has yet to comment on the incident, but it is expected to create new measures and policies to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff at the Philippine airport.
