Four personnel in charge of manning the X-ray screening machine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were suspended from their posts following complaints from passengers that they were involved in extortion activities by allegedly planting ammunition on baggage and reportedly asking for money so passengers can proceed to their flights.
Two individuals have come forward to report separate incidents, prompting authorities to temporarily strip them of their duties. One of the victims, a certain Red de Guzman, said that the screeners have asked for a P500 bribe.
Since the ostensibly discovered bullets went unrecorded, Miguel Oraa, Office of Transportation Security director to raise alarm that personnel were up to something.
“What is very clear is they did not record the incident. So that gives rise, as I said, to a possibility na mayroon silang gustong hindi palabasin o itago,” Oraa explained.
Although the screeners are currently suspended, they are not yet found guilty. They could return to work once the ongoing investigation finds them innocent.
A total of 3,325 bullets were found in passengers’ baggage at the NAIA from January to August 2015, according to OTS.