CebuPac grounds flight crew over theft case

MANILA, Philippines - Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has grounded the cabin crew of one of its aircraft following allegations of theft while on a flight from Boracay to China on Tuesday.

“As part of standard procedure, cabin crew members of the flight will be placed on paid leave and a non-flying status pending completion of the investigation,” its statement read.

Paterno Mantaring Jr., Cebu Pacific officer-in-charge for corporate affairs, said the airline launched its own investigation with an independent, third-party security group after it was informed that one of its flight attendants was accused of stealing cash from passengers.

A male flight attendant of Cebu Pacific reportedly took 8,000 RMB (P58,000) from three Chinese passengers, who allegedly left their money in bags placed in the luggage compartments above seat numbers 11, 12 and 13.

The attendant reportedly flushed the money down the toilet and threw some in the trash bin. Authorities were able to recover about P19,000.

Eric Apolonio, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson, said in a telephone interview that the agency would only make recommendations after it receives a report on the incident.

“We are waiting for Cebu Pacific’s report,” he said.

If there is a basis, CAAP can recommend the cancellation of the flight attendant’s license.

Tourism undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said it would be “best to wait for the result of the investigation.”