NAIA horror stories emerge

Now that the cat’s out of the bag, more and more readers are messaging to share their own horror experiences at NAIA I. To be fair, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Gen. Jose Angel Honrado has ordered an investigation on the incident reported in this column about a camera that was apparently stolen from a checked-in piece of luggage bound for Hong Kong last week.

“I am investigating this complaint,” said Gen. Honrado in a text addressed to Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta. “In general, it is airline ground handlers who have access to cargo. Most of cargo pilferages are those passing Hong Kong. Will see how the investigation comes out.”

The column about the theft has triggered an avalanche of messages on facebook, twitter and other forms of interactive communication about other sordid experiences. Here are some:

“I was warned that balikbayan boxes are being stolen and sold for P4,000 – no questions asked” – Bobby Rius.

“Next time, instead of packing tapes or padlocks to secure your boxes and bags, I suggest using welded chains that only an oxy-acetylene blowtorch could break. But then again, Pinoys are famed for being resourceful. Welded chains might not also work, for crying out loud. Same thing happened to my friend months ago. It was a brand-new boxed Ipad2-’happy birthday’ wrapped and several boxed MP3 players. The funny thing was the items were stolen in a balikbayan box which looked untampered until a close look at the packing tape. The tampered tape was overlapped with a new one and the name tag or ‘sign’ that was written on top was perfectly re-written” – Kelvin Laguardia.

“Bigyan ng tuwid na daan ang NAIA, hindi ka nag-iisa sa experience na ‘yan, nangyari na rin ‘yan sa amin, hay puro pulitika kasi, they don’t walk the talk, puro lip service” – Ferdie Manaloto.

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“The worst airport service” – Rod Vincent Yabes.

“No tourist would ever come if ang kapwa Pinoy ay ganyan ang ginagawa ng airport personnel, it’s no fun!” – Mat Piamonte.

“Paging NAIA officials, may lumihis na daan, paki diretso nga!” – Jun Mendoza.

“Sa katunayan, palengke ang NAIA nagpapanggap lang na airport” – Eleazar Caspillo.

“Airport at its worst state – thumbs down!” – Jaypee Tuazon.

“Only in the Philippines! They really need to replace all personnel at the NAIA from top to bottom. There’s no doubt it was an inside job. NAIA I x-rays the baggage before check-in. Seeing that there was a camera inside, the luggage most likely got marked and was opened on its way to the plane” – Edgar Bartolome.

“The first thing the government should do is to change the name of our airport. It should bear the name of the country, the Philippines. Or bring back its old name which is Manila International Airport. Second, ownership and management should be transferred to the private sector. We all know that government is a bad employer and business manager. Third, it should undergo a major facelift and that is a major renovation and enhancement in terms of facilities and employees” – Zim Ri.

“You went out on a limb to publicly accuse NAIA. Hope it bears fruit as it would not only be a personal victory but also benefit a lot of Pinoys, especially hard-working OFWs, our so-called heroes but helpless against crooks in our own airport” – Vic Ongasis.

“I’m glad you wrote about this. This has been going on for ages. I have never been victimized because I have been advised not to put in my check-in baggage stuff like camera, laptop, Ipad, etc. However, I heard from relatives that even boxes are being pilfered and inexpensive things like lotion, perfume, etc. are also being stolen. I mean, surely, this has got to stop already” – Rhea Navarro.

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“Same thing happened to my niece going to Washington last December. Her luggage was opened and they stole the fake jewelry that she was going to give as pasalubong worth about P5,000-P8,000. Same M.O. as your experience as her flight was also delayed” – Henry Atayde.

“I sympathize with you, what a terrible experience, upon departure and arrival at that. I agree with you that our immigration staff can compare with the grumpiest I’ve seen in the world. They don’t even give a little nod of acknowledgment when you say thank you” – Anonymous.

“Sorry to learn what happened at the airport. It’s disgusting. About time you wrote about it and hope they find out who did it and put him behind bars. Am sure you’re not the only victim. It’s very irritating. Hope and pray you recover the memory card” – Tony Aldeguer.

“Kung ang NAIA I ang siyang magsasalamin ng aasahan ng mga dayuhan sa P’inas, ang slogan ng DOT ay dapat, There’s Less Fun in the Philippines!” – Martin Gregorio.

“I agree 100 percent NAIA is a toilet (and) its officials, unsinkable crap” – Johnny Valdes.    

“If the robbery was done here, my friend made an investigation about five years ago when she lost her laptop inside her suitcase, it seems, Hong Kong has its own problems” – Marissa Altamirano