The Manila International Airport Authority on Saturday urged people to be aware of unscrupulous individuals at airport terminals, specially this coming Yuletide season when the number of passengers is expected to increase.
"We also want to inform the public that even the airport employees were the victims," said MIAA media affairs division chief Jesus Martinez. "In fact, there's a case involving a foreign national who did the wrongdoing."
Martinez was referring to the case of Dorota Lidia Rasinka Samocko, a Polish national, who was placed under investigation for the stolen bag of airport janitress Elsie Amplayo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 1 in September.
Samocko, who arrived from Guam on Sept. 29, admitted the wrongdoing and returned Amplayo's shoulder bag containing her 15-day salary amounting to P4,000.
MIAA assistant general manager for security Allen Capuyan said the incident happened at a restroom in the arrival extension of Naia Terminal 1 around 6:45 a.m. of Sept. 30.
"The janitress didn't pursue her case against the foreigner for humanitarian reason," said Capuyan. "She's [Amplayo] very kind."
Meanwhile, maximum deployment of security personnel will be observed at the four terminals with the “no leave” policy to be implemented by the Airport Police Department relating to the "Oplan Undas 2017."
Last year, Makoto Hasegawa, a Japanese national, was a victim of the “Salisi Gang” at the airport.
Hasegawa, who arrived from Osaka, told airport police authorities that his hand-carry bag was stolen from his trolley at bay 13 of the terminal's north wing arrival area.
His bag contained US dollars and Japanese Yen equivalent to P170,000; three different credit cards, a Canon camera, and his return plane ticket to Japan.
An arriving overseas Filipino worker likewise lost her bag while taking lunch at the Naia Terminal 3.
Johaima Alug, who arrived on board a Cebu Pacific flight 5J111 from Hong Kong, was having lunch with her family at a fastfood restaurant at the arrival area when her Longchamp bag disappeared.
Alug said the bag contained cash, her passport, cards and other valuables.