NAIA staff help recover P920K in cash misplaced by passengers

About PHP920,000 worth of cash was returned to its rightful owners in two separate incidents at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Airport general manager Ed Monreal said the incidents were reported last Jan 19 and 21 at NAIA Terminal 3. 

“The honesty of the taxi driver and wheelchair attendant plus the immediate assistance provided by our airport police proves that coordination is essential in the recovery and I praised them all,” he said.

The first incident was reported by airport police Jamie Estrella, who said a departing passenger identified as Benjamin Cantanero of Las Piñas accidentally left behind his bag inside a taxi.

Cantanero sought the help of Estrella, who used his cellphone to contact Cantanero’s phone that was inside his bag.

Antonio Infanta, 71, of Bram Taxi, answered the call and returned the bag containing PHP220,000 in cash and travel documents.

Estrella said Cantanero rewarded Infanta for his honesty before proceeding to his flight.

The second incident involved an overseas Filipino worker identified as Mary Jane Gane, who misplaced her bag with more than PHP700,000 in cash and valuables.

Airport police Colonel William Dolot said Gane came from a currency exchange booth. She intends to use the money to purchase a house for her family. 

Wheelchair attendant Rizaldy Ocde found Gane’s bag and notified Dolot. The bag was returned to Gane after authorities verified with the currency exchange booth and the airport CCTV. 

This story first appeared on ABS-CBN News Online and is republished with permission.



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