An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who had just arrived from Hong Kong on November 13 lost over P300,000 worth of cash and items right inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
In a complaint filed at the Police Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Airport Police Department, Germelie Martin said a woman approached her while waiting at the departure area for a connecting flight to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
After the woman befriended her, Martin said that she was strangely persuaded by the suspect to withdraw money from an ATM nearby. Moreover, the suspect also convinced Martin to hand over her jewelry, passport, and cell phone.
“Pinaghirapan ko po ang pera bilang isang domestic helper pero ninakaw lang po nang walang kapagod-pagod,” Martin told ABS-CBN News.
According to Martin, she was planning to use her savings to reclaim a pawned property.
Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) was able to identify the suspect through a rogues’ gallery.
The suspect was then arrested in a follow-up operation where some stolen items and cash amounting to P65,000 were retrieved from her.
MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said that the suspect was also previously involved in other incidents victimizing returning OFWs.
Theft and resisting arrest charges will be filed against the suspect, whose name was withheld pending formal complaint filing in court.
