Airport screeners to wear body cameras – Speaker

MANILA, Philippines — Security officers screening passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other gateways nationwide will soon be wearing body cameras and will no longer be allowed to carry their cell phones while on duty, according to Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez, who met with officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) led by Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday, said security screening officers would not be allowed to wear jackets or uniforms with pockets as well as bring bags to prevent incidents of theft at the NAIA.

The Office for Transportation Security, which is under the supervision of the DOTr, has received flak over a series of theft incidents involving OTS personnel, which were recorded on closed-circuit television footage.

“The OTS agreed to punish erring personnel and to put in place measures to stop the illicit acts of its staff,” Romualdez said.

The OTS leadership, according to Romualdez, proposed the use of body cameras to monitor in real time the activities of airport security personnel as well as immigration officers.

With around 1,200 OTS personnel working in three shifts at various airports nationwide, Romualdez said the agency needs at least 500 body cameras to equip on-duty officers.

“We cannot let these embarrassing incidents to discourage tourists from visiting the Philippines. The OTS has recognized that there is a problem and that it needs to be addressed at the soonest time,” he said.

Romualdez said the OTS and DOTr agreed during the meeting that personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard would be assigned to accompany airport screening personnel on duty.

He said the DOTr also proposed the installation of additional e-gates at the airports to minimize interactions between the security personnel and travelers.

OTS administrator Ma. Ranada Aplasca and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Cesar Chiong also attended the meeting.