Philippines fires 19 airport security officers for stealing from passengers

By Hoang Phong September 27, 2023 | 12:46 am PT

Passengers queue at airline counters in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 2, 2023. Photo by Reuters

A total of 19 airport security screeners have been sacked since July last year after they were caught stealing from airline passengers, a Filipino top official said

"Actually, we have investigated 60 cases of theft at the airports involving security employees," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Tuesday during the Senate deliberations, as cited by Inquirer.net.

His statement came in the wake of increasing theft cases involving security officers at airports across the Philippines.

The latest incident happened on September 8 as a female security officer at Ninoy Aquino International Airport was caught in a video swallowing US$300 in cash stolen from a Chinese passenger's wallet.

The Chinese tourist handed over his shoulder bag to her before going through a security scanner but then found that his wallet was open and his money inside was missing.

Philippine airport authorities announced charges would be filed against her.

In response to increasing incidents of theft at the airport, Filipino authorities have ordered personnel to stop wearing jackets and remove pockets from their uniforms.