2 cops cleared of theft at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — Two police officers who were earlier relieved due to allegations they took money from a pouch left behind by an arriving passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 were cleared of wrongdoing.

The two patrolmen assigned with the Aviation Security Group were found to be telling the truth that they did not steal cash and other items from the pouch, Avsegroup director Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky said in an interview yesterday.

Wanky said the owner also signed a document confirming that none of the items in her pouch, including 180 baht, were missing.

The police officers were earlier relieved from their posts following allegations of corruption during the incident last July 21.

A Filipina passenger from Thailand left the pouch in a push cart. A security guard who found the item endorsed it to the two police officers.

Citing the initial results of their investigation, Wanky said the two police officers inspected the items of the pouch for leads on the owner’s identity.

If there was any lapse on the part of the police officers, it was their failure to endorse the pouch to the lost and found counter immediately, Wanky said.