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MIAA to file theft charges vs. airport security staff for stealing cash from Japanese tourist

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assured public that suspects in stealing money from a Japanese national at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be charged with criminal offense.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said two x-ray operators, Stephen Bartolo and Demmie James Timtim, will be charged with qualified theft after stealing AUS$1,700 from Japanese national Yuyu Sakata.

The suspects denied the allegations, despite being caught in the act upon CCTV review inside the airport.

Monreal said the investigation is still ongoing since only AUD$300 has been returned to Sakata.

The authorities are also investigating if the two have other accomplices inside the terminal.

Employees stationed at the x-ray screening of baggages are not allowed to open baggages of NAIA passengers.

The Japanese national arrived from Australia on the afternoon of March 28 and was waiting for his connecting flight to Cebu later that night when he decided to go out of the airport.

Sakata went back to NAIA around 7 in the evening and as required, he let Bartolo and Timtim check his belongings at screening gate of the NAIA Terminal 3.

However, when he checked his belongings, the passenger noticed cash was missing from his wallet. He claimed he had a total of AUD 2,700 in his wallet.

Sakata immediately reported the loss to the airport police and upon review of the CCTV, Bartolo was seen taking the money from the passenger’s wallet.

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