NAIA screener probed for extort try

MANILA, Philippines - A screener at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 is under investigation for an alleged extortion attempt on a balikbayan and her companion last Jan. 4.

Ed Monreal, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, yesterday identified the screener as Sergio Padilla, an Office of Transportation Security personnel assigned at the terminal’s final security check.

Carol Reynon Quebalayan told reporters Padilla stopped her and her Jordanian companion at the final security check after he found jars of ube (purple yam) jam in her hand-carried bag.

She said Padilla told her that the jars were not allowed to be hand-carried in the plane.

When she asked Padilla what she could do about the jars of jam, Quebalayan said the suspect pointed to a secluded area as he replied, “Let’s talk about it there at the side.”

Quebalayan said that when she refused to follow Padilla’s suggestion, he told her, to throw the jars in the garbage instead.

She said Padilla’s actions caused them to miss their flight and had to pay P75,000 for new tickets.

Quebalayan said she tried to seek help from airport police personnel Salaysay Anatalio, but he told them they cannot file a complaint against Padilla because they were detained for less than two hours.

She said she and companion managed to leave the country around 12 hours later.