The three airport personnel involved in the alleged ‘tanim-bala’ incident, which sparked online outrage, have been fired, announced Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon.

“Kung akala niyo, ginagawa namin ‘to for show, nagkakamali kayo (If you think we are doing this for show, you are mistaken). The appropriate investigations will be conducted, and the proper administrative charges will be filed after the investigation has been conducted. But now we are terminating them already today,” Dizon said during a press conference held at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) office on Monday morning.

The dismissed Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel have not been named with the probe still underway, but it has been revealed that their supervisor is among them.

Dizon disclosed that, although the incident occurred on March 6, it was only brought to his attention when it went viral on social media.

“We will not stand for any abuse. Any abuse will be met with the same result, and the same swift action from us. As mandated and as ordered to us by the President himself. We will not allow this to happen,” Dizon declared.

He apologized to the 69-year-old victim, as well as the public, for the incident. In addition, he announced that an airport hotline will be set up to receive reports of “abuse.”

“So I’m calling on our kababayans. Kapag nangyari sa inyo ‘to, huwag kayo matatakot. Huwag kayo mahihiya. I-report niyo agad … We will have a hotline. Magpapalagay ako ng hotline sa airport. Anything na maling ginawa sa mga kababayan natin, i-report niyo kaagad,” the transportation secretary appealed.