ACTS OFW party-list Rep. Aniceto “John” Bertiz quickly became infamous on social media after a CCTV footage showing him allegedly belittled security personnel has gone viral.
To control the damage caused by the viral CCTV footage, Bertiz immediately released an official statement explaining his side, claiming that the uploader of the video tried to twist the story.
Bertiz said that the real reason why he confronted the still unidentified airport security personnel is that he saw something suspicious.
According to him, he saw the security personnel letting some “Chinese-looking” individuals being guided by some Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) staff to bypass the screening.
“Nakakapagtaka na pagkapalusot sa mga Tsino na may escort na NAIA staff eh pinigilan ako [ng security checker] kahit na pinakita ko sa kanya ang NAIA security ID ko at kahit na na-clear na ako sa metal detector at xray machine,” Bertiz said in a statement.
“Hinihinala ko na ginawa ito [ng security checker] para hindi ko masita ang NAIA staff na pinalusot ang mga Tsino ng walang security check,” he added.
The lawmaker also wanted NAIA General Manager Ed Monreal to explain how security personnel easily uploaded the airport’s CCTV footages on social media without undergoing proper procedures.
Bertiz suspected that the airport personnel could easily control the CCTV cameras that’s why some modus in NAIA is not being caught.
“Hinihinala ko na baka kaya hindi nakukunan minsan ng CCTV video ang mga natatanggap kong report ng nakawan at krimen sa NAIA, e dahil malayang napapakialaman ng NAIA CCTV operators ang mga CCTV camera pati na rin ang video footage,” Bertiz said.
“Ibig sabihin, baka kapag may krimen na gagawin e kaya nilang isara ang CCTV o burahin ang video footage,” he added. “Hinihingian po natin ng paliwanag si NAIA GM Ed Monreal tungkol sa insidenteng ito.”
Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito criticized Bertiz for acting like a king during the incident.
“Sense of entitlement? Grabe ka Bossing! Kayabang mo!” JV Ejercito said.
Sense of entitlement? Grabe ka Bossing! Kayabang mo!https://t.co/EIaSQlRGR2
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) September 30, 2018
According to the source of the video, the incident happened on September 29 around 6:45 am at NAIA Terminal 2 Domestic Departure area.
It was showed Bertiz allegedly skipped one of the screening procedures, seconds later he shoved his I.D to the security personnel and also took the identification card of the latter before walking away.