An airport screening officer was caught on CCTV allegedly swallowing a 300 USD wad of cash stolen from a Chinese passenger in the Philippines.

The female officer, who was not named by authorities, was identified by airport police when a Chinese passenger identified only as 'Mr. Cai' reported that his money had been stolen while going through checks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on September 8.

In a police report, Cai said he had submitted his shoulder bag to the staff for a manual search. But when it was returned, he found that his wallet had been opened with several money bills missing, prompting him to confront the female officer.

The rogue staff member from the state-run airport - dubbed one of the worst in the world for its grotty facilities and chronic delays - allegedly turned away then shoved the banknotes into her mouth to conceal them but was unaware that she had been facing a CCTV camera.

The footage shows how she ignored another passenger asking her questions as she repeatedly tried to stuff the object down her throat with her finger. She then attempted to wash it down with water handed to her by a co-worker.

Officials said she has been placed under 'preventive suspension' along with two of her colleagues believed to be accomplices, as officials probe the incident. Fourteen more employees on duty at the screening area that day will be investigated, officials said.

Office of Transportation Security (OTS) undersecretary Mao Aplasca said the woman has denied the charges, claiming she had been eating chocolate and not paper money.

He said: 'That's not how one normally eats chocolate. You don't struggle to swallow it, and you don't need water to wash it down. That's why the fact-finding team does not believe her claim.'

Mao said that the woman, her supervisor, and another screening officer are facing administrative charges for grave misconduct.

The OTS said they were also looking to file criminal charges, despite the complainant already having left the country.

Mao said: 'It's embarrassing and infuriating that these incidents keep happening. These people are probably thinking the criminal case would not prosper because the complainant isn't here, but we are finding legal ways. Our lawyers now are studying the possibility of doing that through a motu proprio initiative.'

On February 24, another female officer at the same airport was also suspended for allegedly stealing 146 USD from a Thai passenger Piyawat Gunlayaprasit at the scanning area.

Just a week later, another screening officer was arrested when he was caught on camera stealing a watch from a Chinese backpacker.