Atutubo, in an interview with The STAR, clarified that the incident took place not inside the NAIA complex, but outside along MIA Road.
Col. Alvin Tiam Watt, officer-in-charge of the MIAA’s Airport Police Department (APD), also denied that a 2002 model Mitsubishi Adventure (WTJ-562) was not stolen in front of the arrival area, but at a curbside in front of Nayong Pilipino.
Tiam Watt said he has coordinated with the Southern Police District (SPD) in connection with the theft. He said police earlier already banned parking along MIA Road to avoid such incidents as well as security reasons.
He also said the victim, Paulo Era, 33, wanted to avoid paying parking fees at the airport complex and decided to park along MIA Road while waiting for his brother who was arriving on a flight from Hong Kong.
Tiam Watt also said that the incident was not reported to the APD. He urged the victim to report to the APD so a cartographic sketch of the six armed suspects could be made. – Sandy Araneta