Airport cops, security officers recognized after returning P1.5 M to passenger-Puerto Princesa International Airport lost and found

Seven police officers and security personnel have been recognized by airport authorities after they facilitated the return of a lost luggage containing P1.5 million to a passenger in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The honest cops and security officers were identified as Jovani Yumen and Edgar Conde, airport security guards; Police Officer 3 Widmark Briones, PO1 Anabelle Guimbongan, both members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP); PO2 Leoniliza Bautista, PO2 Job Arkhe Sancho III, of the Puerto Princesa Tourist Police Unit; and Jel Anthony Cervantes, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) airport security assistant.

The cops and security officers were recognized by the CAAP in a simple ceremony on Friday. They were given certificate of commendation and other awards.

According to authorities, Danilo Dequito travelled from Manila to Puerto Princesa City on July 31 but forgot his luggage at the Puerto Princesa International Airport. The blue luggage contained cash amounting to P1.5 million.
Puerto Princesa International Airport lost and found

It was Yumen and Conde who first saw the luggage beside a flower box at the arrival area of the airport around 8 a.m. They called the attention of Cervantes to report the sighting since they initially thought it contained an explosive.

Cervantes then made immediate coordination and sought help from the police.

PO3 Briones conducted an inspection to ensure the luggage did not contain a bomb.

After the checking, PO2 Bautista, PO2 Sancho and PO1 Guimbongan examined the luggage where they found out an envelope containing 15 bundles of P100,000 each. The luggage also had a wallet with several IDs belonging to Dequito and a black jacket.

After an hour, Dequito went to the arrival area to look for his forgotten luggage. He found out it was retrieved by the security officers and policemen.

Dequito presented proof of identification to them and later that day, he was allowed to claim his luggage. He also examined the contents of the bag and found that nothing was lost in it.

He thanked the security personnel and the police officers for securing his luggage.

The incident reached transport officials and no less than Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the cops and airport employees “for their honesty, professionalism and for following aviation security and police procedures.”

For his part, CAAP director general, Captain Jim Sydiongco said the incident should inspire other officials to remain honest while in the line of duty. Puerto Princesa International Airport lost property

“By perception alone, we are perceived as corrupt and dishonest. It is up to us to prove them wrong by our deeds and action,” he said.