2 Swedes lose cash, valuables in hotel room vault

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9:21 a.m., Aug.3, 2021) — Two Swedes vowed never to return to the Philippines after they lost money and valuables they kept in a vault in their hotel room in Manila Sunday night.

The two victims, a 36-year-old and a 33-year-old, went to the Manila Police District (MPD) and reported that their passports, money, jewelry and gadgets were stolen while they were away from their room at the Orchid Garden Suites Hotel.

Chief Inspector Joselito de Ocampo, MPD general assignment and investigation section chief, said the victims left their room to have a meal at around 10:32 a.m. on Sunday and went back at past noon before going to the pool.

When the two returned at past 4 p.m., they discovered that someone had taken their belongings, which were kept in a vault in their room. 

One of the victims immediately went to the front desk and asked to see the hotel’s closed-circuit television footage, which showed that a man entered their room at exactly 3:31 p.m. and rushed out three minutes later carrying a bag.

De Ocampo said the hotel’s duty manager accompanied the victims to the MPD. Hotel officials have yet to comment on the incident.

(Editor's note: The names of the victims have been removed upon their request.)