NO PRIDE SWALLOWING? | OTS chief ‘surprised’ with Romualdez’s call for resignation

September 26, 2023 , 02:07 PM

(September 26, 2023) – The head of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) on Tuesday said he was surprised by the call of House Speaker Martin Romualdez for him to resign following the recent controversies involving security staff in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Usec. Ma.O Aplasca stressed that he did not do anything wrong that would warrant his removal from office. He said corrupt officials should be the ones asked to resign instead of those who are trying to fix the system.

“Why am I now being attacked?” asked Aplasca. “The case involving stealing of the $300 bills is still being resolved. Mauuna pa mawala ‘yung mga nag-imbestiga. There must be something wrong somewhere.”

He was referring to the case of a female OTS staff who swallowed a wad of cash worth $300 allegedly stolen from a foreign traveler.

On Monday, Romualdez urged Aplasca to step down from his position over his inability to stop the “repeated nefarious activities” of security screening personnel in NAIA. He threatened to block the budget of the OTS if Aplasca refuses to leave his post.

“Naka-strike three na ang OTS chief. We are already fed up with these reports of stealing and other acts of wrongdoing at the airport, for which the OTS officials and their DOTr (Department of Transportation) supervisors are ultimately responsible,” said Romualdez, calling for a “top-to-bottom overhaul.”

But Aplasca maintained that his leadership has continued its efforts to cleanse the OTS. Of 68 administrative cases that were investigated, he said they dismissed 11 individuals found liable for wrongdoings.

He added that the issues confronting the OTS can be resolved through short-term and long-term solutions since they are rooted in “systemic and cultural reasons.”

Describing Romualdez’s call for his resignation as a personal attack, Aplasca said he’s taking full responsibility for the blunders of the OTS. He also promised to talk to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and DOTr secretary Jaime Bautista to discuss the matter. Romualdez is a cousin of Marcos.

“I will not allow anyone to humiliate me and allow any wrong information to thrive because of how unjust it is to the good men and women of OTS who tirelessly dedicate their hard work to serve the public every day,” stressed Aplasca.

The OTS has reportedly preventively suspended at least three airport screening personnel in relation to the cash-swallowing incident, noting that they possibly connived with each other.

Last week, the DOTr ordered the imposition of a “maximum penalty” to hold accountable not only the female OTS staff who swallowed the cash but also the others who took part in the scheme.

Earlier this year, the OTS filed administrative cases against airport security personnel who were involved in pocketing the cash of a tourist from Thailand and another one who stole a passenger’s watch.

Senators have yet again cited the need for a probe to address these “never-ending gimmicks.”

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