Solon goes viral for 'refusing' to take off shoes at NAIA; says story twisted

ACTS OFW Representative John Bertiz III has once again received the ire of netizens after a video went viral showing that he supposedly refused to take off his shoes as a security measure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In the video posted on Facebook, Bertiz was caught in a CCTV security video allegedly refusing to remove his shoes as part of the measures NAIA supposedly implemented under "Security Condition Level 2."

The incident supposedly happened early Saturday morning at NAIA Terminal 2.

After supposedly refusing to take off his shoes, Bertiz was shown shoving his ID to the security personnel, and even apparently tried to identify him by getting the latter's identification card.

But Bertiz, in response, said the story behind the video post was twisted.

He said he called out the security checker in the video for supposedly allowing some "Chinese-looking" individuals escorted by NAIA staff to skirt security check.

"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 told GMA News Online in a text message.

"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.

Bertiz said that despite wearing his NAIA security ID, which has wider access, he still submitted himself to security check.

"[I] removed all metals, belts, mobile, etc., except my slip-on rubber shoes kasi hindi niya naman pinahubad yung iba. Kaya ko kinunan [ko] ng photo ang ID niya then reported the incidents and walk[ed] away peacefully," he said.

Bertiz likewise expressed concern over the possibility that NAIA personnel have been publicizing CCTV security footages without the authority of Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal.

He lamented this while saying that Philippine National Police personnel needed to get court clearance before they could have access to CCTV security footages.

"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 patayin ang CCTV o burahin ang video footage," he added. "Hinihingian po natin ng paliwanag si NAIA GM Ed Monreal tungkol sa insidenteng ito."

GMA News Online has also reached out to Manila International Airport Authority general manager Monreal for comment.

DOTr looking into matter

In a separate statement, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is now looking closer into the incident.

"Please be informed that a thorough investigation on the incident is already being conducted. All reports, complaints, and actual video footages are now being consolidated and evaluated," it said.

"Authorities are now studying if any law or protocol has been violated, and assures all individuals concerned that any decision shall strictly be in accordance to existing rules, regulations, and procedures being implemented in our airports," it added.

Bertiz also recently drew flak on social media for a statement he made during the oath-taking ceremony of engineering board examination passers with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), a video of which also went viral.

In the video, Bertiz was heard telling the inductees that those who do not know Special Assistant to the President Bong Go will not receive their PRC license.

Bertiz has since apologized for his "inappropriate joke," saying that he did not mean to anger, belittle or offend the inductees in any way. — with a report by Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KG/BM, GMA News