Airport security personnel sacked over theft incident, Aklan SP to investigate

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

It is indeed not a good sign. 

The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) will conduct an inquiry following a theft incident at Kalibo International Airport (KIA).

SP member Esel Flores, committee chairman on tourism, said the airport incident involving personnel of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) is ‘hurting’ Aklan’s tourism industry.

OTS was created under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) tasked for transportation security operations including security screening of passengers, baggage and cargoes in airports.

Last week, a female tourist bound to Manila reported to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group that her mobile phone disappeared from one of the trays as it went through the Kalibo airport’s security x-ray scanners.

 

The unsuspecting tourist claimed she was the granddaughter of retired PNP chief Arturo Lomibao, the police said. 

“Mga 2 p.m. ng Linggo nangyari, nadelayed pa ang flight, kaya nakapagreport pa siya sa airport police at na-retrieved ang cell phone niya,” said Kalibo airport manager Cynthia Aspera.

The airport official said a male OTS security personnel was caught red-handed and confessed that he took the cell phone.

“Nakursunadahan ang cell phone dahil mamahalin,” she said. 

All electronic gadgets are inspected by OTS security screening officers in airports by directing the passengers to place the personal items in a tray for X-ray screening before boarding the aircraft. 

Afraid of losing the jobs of his co-workers, the OTS personnel returned the cell phone to Lumibao’s granddaughter before she boarded a domestic flight to Manila.

The suspect, who was terminated by OTS, is contractual security personnel for two years. He is still under investigation by OTS.

“I hope it will not happen again. This is lesson learned for security personnel assigned at Kalibo airport and to all of us,” Aspera said.  

Asked if what happens if items left behind at Kalibo airport, Aspera said all left belongings are turned over to Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Kalibo office.  

For instance, a passenger left a wallet with P3,100 cash at the second floor of airport terminal building. It was found by an airport worker.

Aspera said she searched for identification in the wallet and contacted the rightful owner, who was already on board the aircraft.