Good samaritans of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recently surrendered $10,000 worth of cash and a bag of personal belongings to airport security. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) commended porter Victor Perez and security guard Albert Bautista for their acts of honesty, who are both scheduled to receive awards during MIAA’s flag ceremony in May 2024.
With a 32-year tenure at the establishment, 52-year-old Perez spotted a bundle of US dollar bills on the pavement of NAIA Terminal 1’s east bridge arrival extension last Saturday, April 13, 2024, and proceeded immediately to the Lost and Found to return the money. The office concluded that the amount totaled $10,000 (∼₱572,670) and belonged to a Korean visitor as per CCTV footage. According to the foreigner, the cash “fell out of his pocket while he was going down the ramp,” as the amount was turned over in full later the same day.
In a separate incident, Lanting Security Services’ Albert Bautista spotted a lost bag at the airport’s Bay 7 the following day, containing a laptop, smartphone, and a gold necklace. He surrendered the items to Terminal 3’s Lost and Found office, which were claimed on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines expressed his delight with the outcome of the incidents, regarding the employees as role models for the institution to follow.
“Hats off to Messrs. Victor Perez and Albert Bautista for their honesty. Both should be emulated by everyone in NAIA. Let the culture of honesty thrive in the midst of endless temptations around us,” he mentioned in a statement.
