By Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA
MANILA — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Thursday that no irregularities took place at the airport, where a deported overseas Filipino worker (OFW) claimed some of his belongings in his checked-in baggage were stolen.
In a statement, MIAA said a video about the complaint of OFW Andrew Montes has turned viral on social media. Montes, a deportee from Saudi Arabia, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Nov. 17.
Apparently, he lost his money, a gold necklace, and mobile phone that he placed inside the bag that he checked in.
His complaint moved MIAA to coordinate with the airline’s ground handler.
MIAA Media Affairs Division officer-in-charge, Ma. Consuelo Bungag, said MIAA authorities have examined the body cameras of the ramp agents.
Footages showed no irregularities during the handling of the baggage, she said.
According to Civil Aeronautics Board’s chief legal officer, Wyrlou Samodio, the carrier is responsible for lost baggage.
However, for a passenger to get a compensation for lost or damaged baggage, he or she should have declared the valuables inside the luggage.
“Sometimes, to avoid paying duties, passengers don’t declare their valuables. Then they would complain if their jewelry, for instance, is missing. How would the airline know if it’s true if they did not declare it?” Samodio explained in a recent aviation seminar that MIAA organized.
Meanwhile, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal is calling on Montes to exercise caution in posting in social media.
He said baseless accusations would only ruin the country’s image.
