Airport personnel return passenger's forgotten luggage containing P1.5M - The Daily Sentry


Airport personnel return passenger's forgotten luggage containing P1.5M



Bundles of cash  |   Officials of the PNP Aviation Security Unit examine the content of the luggage. Photo from JP Mortel Pajura


The hand-carry baggage with cash and other personal items is reunited with its owner who had left it at the arrival area of Puerto Princesa International Airport.

According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) report, Airport security personnel Jovani Yumen noticed a blue luggage beside a flower box at the arrival area at around nine in the morning of July 31.


Yumen called the attention of the airport security assistant on duty, Jel Anthony Cervantes, who then immediately sought for K9 IED (improvised explosive device) inspection from PO3 Widmark R. Briones of the PNP Aviation Security Unit to check the item.
The K9 inspection yielded to negative result, the PNP Aviation Security Unit went on to examine the contents of the luggage.

Tourist Police PO2 Leoniliza Bautista, PO2 Job Arkhe Sancho III, and PO1 Anabelle Guimbongan of the PNP Aviation Security Unit examined the contents. Upon their inspection, the contents found were one black jacket, one black wallet with ID/s belonging to a certain Danilo Dequito, and an envelope containing 15 bundles of PhP 100,000 totaling to PhP1.5 million.
After more than an hour, the owner, Mr. Dequito went back to the arrival area looking for his luggage. He was reunited with his belonging after presenting proof of identification, with PO2 Bautista, and PO1 Guimbongan as witnesses.He found everything intact and complete.

Employees of the Puerto Princesa International Airport return a luggage containing P1.5 million in cold cash to a passenger / photo from JP Mortel Fajura

DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the airport employees for their honesty, professionalism and for following aviation security and police procedures for such.
“Saludo ako sa kanila. Even small acts of honesty and just by simply following the proper procedures are important in showing the integrity of our offices. Pinapakita lang nito ang disiplina at malasakit ng bawat isa na magserbisyo sa kapwa. Sometimes it’s so easy to be complacent, o kaya naman sabihin na ang tama ang dapat mong gawin. Pero kapag nalagay ka na sa sitwasyon na talagang masusubukan ka, doon na lalabas ang iyong tunay na karakter. " Tugade said.
"Ang taas ng respeto at paghanga ko sa CAAP at sa mga empleyado ng Puerto Princesa International Airport because of this. They set the bar high, and this should be the norm for all of us public servants.” he added.


Employees of the Puerto Princesa International Airport return a luggage containing P1.5 million in cold cash to a passenger / photo from JP Mortel Fajura

Source: JP Mortel Fajura