Security officer in airport row won’t file raps vs lawmaker for ‘fear of his life’
AN airport screening officer who was at the receiving end of a lawmaker’s outburst over security procedures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) won’t press charges, according to a transport official.
Napoleon Cuaton, head executive assistant of the Office for Transport Security (OTS), said that Hamilton Abdul, 27, came to the OTS office with his father on Tuesday saying he will no longer pursue the filing of a complaint against Party-list Rep. Aniceto Bertiz 3rd Bertiz at the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office because he was in “fear of his life.” He did not elaborate.
Cuaton said the congressman could be penalized with “crime of resistance and disobedience to a person of authority.”
“It’s up to them, mahirap pilitin kasi siya ang involved (we cannot force him to file a complaint), but I told them the OTS is here whenever you need our help and we will support any of our employees who are doing their jobs in accordance with the law in securing the airport from passengers who might bring terror,” Cuaton said.
He said: “We will not abandon our staff especially in this situation.” Cuaton said Bertiz violated Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code.
Abdul is newly married and has twins. Upon the advice of his father, he decided not to pursue the case.
Bertiz was caught on video on September 9 shoving his airport access pass at Abdul and snatching his identification card after the OTS screener asked him to remove his shoes as part of security measures being implemented at NAIA.
Bertiz apologized later for his behavior, attributing his outburst to a “period” he gets once a year. His remarks drew flak from women’s groups.
The ethics committee of the House of Representatives is discussing what penalty to give Bertiz. BENJIE VERGARA
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