Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez on Sunday ordered the Office of Transportation Security (OTS) to tighten airport security and warned corrupt personnel that he will not let offenses slide.

Not only must luggage inspection be thorough, but OTS Security Screening Officers (SSO) were also instructed to keep a watchful eye on the airports they have been stationed at.

Lopez said OTS SSOs were deployed to ensure passenger safety and that no smuggled contraband passes through. He warned corrupt airport personnel that stealing items or money will not go unpunished.

“Kung mapatunayan na ang ilang mga OTS Security Screening Officers ang nangunguna sa paglabag ng batas kabilang na ang pagnanakaw ng mga gamit o pera ng mga pasahero, tiyak na may kalalagyan kayo at sisiguruhin naming mapaparusahan ang mga nagkasala,” he said.

Two SSOs and one supervisor at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 were dismissed from their posts during an ongoing investigation into a missing ₱7,000 and NT$ 1,000 (New Taiwan Dollars) belonging to an Australian passenger in a recent incident.

The three are facing criminal and administrative cases.

The transport secretary reminded passengers to report any suspicious activity or blatant wrongdoing, and to avoid packing prohibited items to avoid having their luggage opened and inspected.