DOT backs maximum penalty vs airport personnel who commit ‘reprehensible act’
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) strongly supports the imposition of maximum penalty against any airport personnel in lieu of a female security screening officer (SSO) caught on camera swallowing $300 bills allegedly taken from a departing Chinese in an apparent move to conceal the evidence.
In a statement issued Thursday night, the DOT said “any crime committed upon a tourist is a crime against our country deserving of punishment to the fullest extent of the law.”
Thus, the DOT said it “strongly supports the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista to mete out the maximum penalty on airport personnel found guilty of such a reprehensible act.”
The DOT stressed tourism provides livelihood to millions of Filipinos, and all efforts are being exhausted to ensure the country’s rebound knowing how significantly tourism contributes to our economy.
On Sept. 8, a Chinese departing from Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complained that he found his wallet open and several bills were missing after the SSO conducted a manual search on the victim’s hand carried bag at the final security check area.
