OFW from HK loses Longchamp bag to NAIA thieves

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila—-A newly-arrived overseas Filipino worker from Hong Kong lost her expensive shoulder bag to thieves inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday afternoon (September 12).

Johaima Alug, who arrived from HK on board a Cebu Pacific flight 5J111, told members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Unit (PNP-AVSEU) that her Longchamp shoulder bag was stolen inside NAIA Terminal III.

A Longchamp bag can cost from HK$4,500 to HK$10,950. Alug’s bag contained her passport, cards, and other valuables.

The victim told investigators that she was having a late lunch with her family at the Wendy’s branch in the terminal’s arrival lobby when the thieves struck.

She said she placed her purple Longchamp bag beside her while having lunch but she noticed at around at 2:35 p.m. that it was gone.

Alug sought the help from the PNP-AVSEU. A review of the CCTV footage showed that, at exactly 2:18 p.m., five persons—two women and three men—worked together to surreptitiously steal the victim’s shoulder bag.

Chief Supt. Mao Aplasca, PNP-AVSEGOUP director, said they reviewed their records and the footage from other CCTV cameras to find out how the culprits escaped but to no avail.

Aplasca said a follow-up investigation is being conducted to identify and eventually arrest the suspects.

Meanwhile, Manila International Airport general manager Ed Monreal ordered the head of the Airport Police Department (APD) to deploy more policemen in civilian clothes in areas where passengers and their families spend time before their departure or after their arrival in NAIA.