Office of Transportation Security (OTS) Undersecretary Mao Aplasca on Wednesday said that he regreted stepping down from his post as they are in the middle of the investigations of theft incidents at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
"Hanggang ngayon nanghihinayang pa rin ako. Tinatanong ko rin yung sarili ko kung ano nga bang nagawa naming hindi maganda at ganon ang ginawa ni Speaker Martin Romualdez," Aplasca said during an interview on DZRH Damdaming Bayan.
"Ako nanghihinaang po talaga ako atsaka yung aking mga tauhan dahil malapit na po nating masawata lahat. Na-identify namin na halos lahat ng mga tiwali dyan, kaso ito po ay nangyare sa amin," he added.
Apalasca submitted his courtesy resignation on Sunday after the threat of House Speaker Martin Romualdez blocking the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and OTS 2024 budget if he did not quit.
According to the OTS chief, he would sacrifice his position for the sake of the whole department.
When asked about the possibility of returning to his position if the President disapproves of his resignation, Aplasca said he is always ready for whatever mission is given to him.
The latest blunder of the OTS under Aplasca's management happened on September 8 when a female security screening officer stole $300 from a departing passenger's suitcase.
Two weeks later, CCTV footage was released showing the female personnel trying to swallow the stolen three hundred-dollar bill.
Meanwhile, DOTr said Wednesday that Aplasca's resignation is being processed for transmittal to Malacañang.
"Being a presidential appointee, acceptance of his resignation will be up to the President. Automatically, the highest ranking OTS official will become OIC," DOTr said in its statement.
