25 men nabbed for stealing relief goods from Villamor Airbase

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Air Force operatives have apprehended 25 persons caught stealing relief goods intended for victims of Typhoon Yolanda from the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

Col. Miguel Okol, Air Force spokesman, said the arrested persons were posing as volunteers and evacuees. They were apprehended in separate operations conducted by Air Force authorities since Nov. 16.

“They were arrested due to our efficient and effective security measures,” Okol said.

“I would say it’s more of qualified theft by unscrupulous people who were posing as a group of evacuees or volunteers preying on the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) relief efforts,” he added.

Okol said they deployed security personnel in the area to foil attempts to steal relief items.

He claimed that the security measures in place are “tight” but “accommodating” to those who really wish to help in the relief efforts.

The arrested individuals are now facing theft charges.

Previous reports said among those apprehended were an employee of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and his five companions.

The six individuals were reportedly arrested last Saturday while on board a government vehicle.

Air Force personnel were said to have found garbage bags and a sack filled with relief goods inside the vehicle, which was allegedly registered to the MIAA.

A video footage of GMA News showed that the vehicle that carried the relief goods was a Mitsubishi Adventure with license plates SKR 551.

When asked to verify the report about the involvement of a government employee in the stealing of relief goods, Okol said: “The vehicle perhaps, but it was never established that it was a government official.”

Villamor Airbase serves as the processing center of typhoon survivors from Eastern Visayas.

Victims who were transported from typhoon-hit areas receive relief items and undergo counseling to help them recover from their tragic experiences. 

Members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) also arrested 16 alleged looters who were caught in possession of items stolen from typhoon-ravaged areas in Tacloban City and other parts of Leyte.

SAF chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said the suspects, whose identities were not immediately available, were referred to the Eastern Visayas Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for the filing of charges.

Valmoria said looting and other criminal activities have been addressed with the deployment of policemen in the disaster areas.

The SAF chief said they have recovered at least 12 motorcycles from individuals who failed to present proper documents.

He noted that there was a man who was about to bring a motorcycle to Samar when accosted by SAF men. The suspect was later taken to the CIDG. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe