Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) — Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph Recto has suggested that the Transportation Department should provide body cameras for airport personnel manning x-ray machines and other security checkpoints to “deter pickpockets in uniform.”
\”This simple device would deter pickpockets in uniform and at the same time ward off rude passengers who harass airport personnel who are just doing their duty,\” the House deputy speaker said in a statement Friday.
His suggestion comes after two incidents in the past two weeks involving erring Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel.
The first was an alleged extortion activity, while the second was theft.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has also ordered a \”no pocket policy\” for the uniforms of security officers.
The lawmaker said the OTS has a ₱1-billion yearly budget. In 2021, he said Congress gave the agency ₱331 million, and the remaining ₱693 million is from the Airport Security Fee (ASF) and other port usage fees.
According to Recto, international flight passengers pay ₱60 for ASF, while domestic travelers pay ₱15. The ASF is already \”tucked in\” in their airplane tickets, he added.
“In 2021, batay sa isang official report, may balance na ₱207 million ang balon ng ASF ‘dividends’ ng OTS [In 2021, according to an official report, the ASF dividends of OTS have a balance of ₱207 million],” said Recto, noting this is where the OTC can source funds to purchase the bodycams.
