Immigration officer, two ground handler arrested for extortion at NAIA
by Ariel FernandezAn immigration officer and two ground handlers were arrested by operatives of Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 when they tried to extort some P60,000 from Royal Air as penalty/payment.
The aviation police intelligence group set up an entrapment operation based on the complaint of Royal Air at Terminal 3 and at the Duty Free past 2 p.m. on Thursday where the P60.000 cash was about to be handed over to the three suspects.
Aviation police intelligence chief P/Capt. Roberto Papa identified the three suspects as Rino Romero, an immigration officer assigned at NAIA Terminal 3, and ground handlers Rene Ares Cascano and Jodrel Victoriano. They were brought to the PNP office for further investigation and filing of case.
Papa said they received a complaint from Royal Air Philippines on the supposed P60.000 penalty or payment. Royal Air Philippines is a non-commercial carrier.
Immigration Port Operation head Grifton Medina said he will not tolerate a modus operandi such as this to blemish the reputation of other upright and hardworking airport personnel.