THE Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has opened an investigation into the alleged theft committed by one of its screening officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City.

According to reports, the female security screening officer swallowed the cash that was allegedly taken from a Chinese passenger’s handbag on September 8, based on CCTV footage.

The employee’s identity has already been identified, and evidence gathering is ongoing, the OTS said in a statement on Tuesday. 

”Upon receipt of the information about the recent allegations of theft involving a security screening officer (SSO) at NAIA Terminal 1, where cash amounting to 300 US dollars went missing, the OTS took actions to validate the information and launch its fact-finding investigation,” the OTS said.

The OTS said it was working closely with the Manila International Airport Authority and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group ”to bring those accountable to the folds of the law and take appropriate administrative actions if the allegations are substantiated.”

”The actions described are obviously not reflective of the code of conduct for civil servants, but much more of the core values that the majority of our personnel uphold,” it said.

OTS Administrator Ma.O Aplasca urged the public to report illegal activities committed by its personnel in order ”to finally cleanse its ranks from unscrupulous individuals.”