MANILA International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal on Wednesday ordered the Airport Police Department personnel to go on high alert against unscrupulous individuals who prey on air travelers, especially returning Filipino workers, from abroad who will spend summer vacation with their families.
On Tuesday, operatives of the APD Intelligence and Detection Section arrested six persons, believed to be members of the Salisi Gang, who the authorities claimed, resumed their operation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals.
In a report submitted to Monreal, Airport Police chief Romeo Labador said his men apprehended the suspects—Noimie Javier, Gerry Alegre, Estela Ramirez, Joy Vinto, Ben Santos and Joseph Reyes—along MIA Road near Terminal 2 around 12:50 pm.
Labador said the group was initially observed acting suspiciously at the public area of Terminal 2 arrival.
He added one of the APD men approached a Japanese national sitting at the waiting area and discovered that he nearly got victimized by the group.
The Japanese national told the authorities that after dropping two P20 bills to divert his attention, suspects tried to grab his bag but failed.
Luckily, he was able to hold it tightly, disappointing the suspects who hurriedly fled from the scene.
Minutes later, the APD men chased the group’s sports utility van which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
The suspects are now detained at the APD headquarters and were criminally charged before the Pasay City prosecutors office.
“We are not stopping with our efforts to rid NAIA of bad elements. This cleansing drive will be relentless,” said Monreal.
