MIAA to crack down on airport thieves

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will organize a team to conduct random inspections of personnel to curb theft and pilferage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Many travelers who lost valuables to airport thieves have turned to Facebook and Instagram to air their complaints.

Newly appointed MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said yesterday the plan is to discourage unscrupulous ramp workers from stealing from passengers’ luggage.

He said the team would be comprised of airport security personnel, Aviation Security Group police officers and private security guards whose job will be to protect the baggage buildup areas from thieves.

The baggage buildup areas are where all the luggage of arriving and outgoing passengers are sorted and loaded in the baggage carousel in the arrival area and in the planes.

The areas are manned by airline employees and airport baggage handling and security personnel, Monreal said.

He added that he also plans to install closed-circuit television cameras in the baggage buildup areas, particularly at the NAIA Terminal 1, to replace the ageing CCTV system installed in the 1990s.

Monreal said workers assigned to the baggage buildup areas will be required to wear outfits without pockets and frisked by guards whenever they enter or leave the areas.

They will also be prohibited from bringing their mobile phones and wearing jewelry.

Monreal reminded travelers to avoid putting valuables in their luggage or place them in carry-on bags to keep them safe. 

He said NAIA is not the only airport having problems with theft.