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2 Pinays Barred from Going to China as Surrogate Moms

2 Pinays Barred from Going to China as Surrogate Moms

Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recently stopped two Filipina travelers from heading to China, where they were hired to become surrogate mothers. ALSO READ: Immigration Captures 8 Suspected Trafficking Victims at NAIA … Read more

TESDA lists top courses preferred by OFWs

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has just recently revealed the top courses preferred by returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have sought the agency’s assistance at the help desks set up in … Read more

WATCH: Deported OFW Complains About Stolen Luggage

WATCH Deported OFW Complains About Stolen Luggage

Making the rounds on social media is the viral video of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), claiming that some of his belongings had been stolen, the Philippine News Agency reported.

ALSO READ: Airline Baggage Handler Caught Stealing from Passenger Luggage

The OFW, Andrew Mortes, is a deportee from Saudi Arabia. Upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on November 17, he complained that he lost some valuables placed inside his checked-in luggage — including money, a cellphone, and a gold necklace.

WATCH Deported OFW Complains About Stolen Luggage
Screenshots from video posted on Raffy Tulfo Supporters FB Page

Deportee Claims Money, Cellphone, & Jewelry Were Stolen

The video shows Montes on the floor, looking through his belongings. “Ang sabi po ng mga pulis sa Jeddah bawal po namin bitbitin kahit anong gamit,kailangan daw po namin ilagay sa aming bagahe. Kaya po sinunod namin sila (The police in Jeddah said we couldn’t hand-carry anything, we need to put them in our luggage. So we just followed them),” Montes said.

“Pagdating po namin sa airport ng Pinas, nagkalat na po ang mga gamit ko… Nawala po ang cellphone ko, mga alahas, at pera, pati din po sa mga kasamahan namin (When we arrived at the Philippine airport, our belongings were scattered… My cellphone, jewelry, and money were missing, same goes for the other deportees),” he complained.

According to Montes, he and the other deportees reported the incident to Saudia Airlines. However, the airline company said that they were not liable for their passenger’s belongings. Montes expressed that they do not know what else to do, and asked President Duterte for help.

Here is the video of Andrew Montes, shared by Raffy Tulfo Supporters’ Facebook page:

In response, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) coordinated with the airline’s ground handler. Ma. Consuelo Bungag, Officer-in-Charge of the MIAA Media Affairs Department, said that MIAA authorities examined the body cameras of the ramp agents.

However, camera footage did not reveal any irregularities during the handling of the luggage. Hence, the MIAA declared on Thursday (November 29) that no irregularities took place.

The Chief Legal Officer of the Civil Aeronautics Board, Wyrlou Samodio, said that airlines are responsible for lost luggage. However, he explained that for a passenger to get compensation for lost or damaged luggage, he or she should have declared the valuables inside it in the first place.

“Sometimes, to avoid paying duties, passengers don’t declare their valuables,” Samodio explained. “Then they would complain if their jewelry, for instance, is missing. How would the airline know if it’s true, if they did not declare it?”

Meanwhile, the MIAA General Manager, Ed Monreal, reminded Montes to be careful with what he posts on social media. He also said that baseless accusations could tarnish the country’s image.

ALSO READ: Airport Police Catch Woman who Stole Almost PHP 300K from OFW in NAIA

While many of us may sympathize with Montes, we cannot discount the fact that no irregularities were found in the handling of his luggage. In any case, as travelers, we should take care of our belongings at all times, and declare valuables placed in our checked-in luggage.

Video: Airline Baggage Handler Caught Stealing from Passenger Luggage 

Those who are planning to go home for the holidays or for a vacation, this is a friendly reminder to make sure you don’t leave your valuable belongings (cash, jewelry, etc.) in your check-in luggage.

A video had gone viral on social media showing an airline baggage handler allegedly tampering a passenger’s baggage. Caught in the act, the airline baggage handler was seen searching through passenger’s belongings for valuables.

Related: 4 NAIA Baggage Handlers Arrested For Stealing Jewelry from Turkish Foreign Minister’s Wife

airline baggage employe steal
Screenshot from YouTube | CGTN

Watch: Baggage Employee Caught in the Act Tampering a Passenger’s Luggage

The footage was taken last October at an airport in Thailand for a plane bound from Phuket to Singapore. The employee in the video was hired by an agency to carry out the task by transferring luggage. A security officer secretly filmed this baggage handler while he searched for items inside the bag.

The viral video was also posted in a Facebook Page which earned a lot of negative reactions from netizens. Due to some similar facial features, many Filipinos even believed that the handler is a Filipino. But regardless of the nationality, we should all be reminded to keepsafe our belongings when we travel.

This video was shared so that the public will be aware of what happens when a passenger will check-in their baggage. It’s a precautionary measure to think that even an airline staff can do this kind of act.

The video was uploaded in YouTube 5 days after the incident. According to the video’s description: the police has already arrested the criminal who had admittedly taken a bluetooth speaker which was returned back to the owner.

There have been many other reports in the past that valuables from passengers were lost without any good explanation of what happened. We’ve even shared some experience in our own Philippine airports.

This video can at least show the public and make them realize that you can be a victim given the circumstance. So the best course of action is to be extra careful and to keep your belongings carried in a smaller bag that you can carry.