MANILA — A security screening officer at Butuan Airport has been praised for her exemplary conduct in returning a valuable gold ring inadvertently left behind by a passenger earlier this week, as announced by the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) on Friday (19 April 2024).
Assistant Secretary Jose Briones Jr., acting head of OTS, extended commendation to Gina Edera for her prompt action upon discovering the ring beneath the inspection table at the final security checkpoint within the airport premises.
“[Edera] promptly notified Shift-In-Charge Novejig Batoon, who then swiftly coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority Security and Intelligence Service to ascertain the rightful owner of the item,” Briones stated.
Following the coordinated efforts, the passenger was successfully reunited with the lost possession upon presenting proper identification at the security screening checkpoint.
Briones emphasized the significance of integrity and honesty among security screening officers, stressing the importance of promptly returning forgotten belongings to their owners or depositing them in the designated lost and found area.
In a related development, OTS recently announced the recruitment of an additional 300 Security Screening Officers (SSOs) to bolster security measures at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, aimed at enhancing screening protocols at the international hub. Furthermore, over 100 OTS personnel have been promoted to fill vacancies created by retirements, resignations, and non-renewed contracts.
(By el Amigo/MNM)