Airport worker caught pilfering travelers' bags

MANILA, Philippines  - A man who worked as a station loader for the Philippine Airlines (PAL) was arrested yesterday morning for allegedly stealing from the luggage of passengers arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2).

According to a report by Superintendent Raniel Valones of the Aviation Security Group, Roldan Pacete was unloading bags from PAL flight PR 278 from Legaspi City at 8:30 a.m. when he had to answer the call of nature. Security guard William Belamana frisked him as a matter of procedure.

Another security guard, Edgar Cruz, accosted Pacete for suspected pilferage. Valones said a Samsung cellular phone was found in Pacete’s left shoe, while P138 in coins was found in his right.

Appropriate charges will be filed against Pacete before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office, Valones said.