Six PAL employees get jail terms for smuggling

A Pasay City Regional Trial Court sentenced Monday six former employees of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to eight years in prison after they were found guilty of smuggling jewelry worth over P11-million three years ago at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In her decision, Judge Priscilla Mijares also fined accused Daniel Lintag, Ramon Villarlez, Esmeraldo Blando, Filoteo Tulay, Estelito Viray, and Armando Serrano P8,000 each for violating the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.

Court records showed that the accused were apprehended by PAL and airport personnel last Jan. 21, 1999 at the PSI Warehouse of the national carrier’s International Cargo Terminal. The accused were then port stewards assigned to unload food containers, wine trolleys, catering wines and cigarettes among others, after PAL passengers disembark.

They were dismissed by the PAL management because of the incident.

The port stewards had been under surveillance because of earlier reports that they were suspected of stealing PAL properties such as liquor and cigarettes.

When frisked, the accused yielded pouches containing Italian gold bracelets, earrings, and necklaces among others.

The seized articles had a total weight of 26 kilos and valued at a total of P11,085, 670, inclusive of customs duties, value added tax, and excise tax.

In their defense, the accused claimed that while traveling from Bay 2 to 10 of the cargo terminal, they saw a black plastic bag and decided to load it at the back of the vehicle thinking it was garbage.

But upon inspection, they saw that the items inside the bag "glittered" and were "valuable."

The six claimed they decided to turn the packages over to the In Flight Center to claim the rewards and recognition when they were intercepted. They further explained that they hid the items inside their pockets and clothes for security reasons. –  Nikko Dizon