MANILA -- The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has revoked the pass of an airport worker for stealing a passenger's mobile phone.
Jess Martinez, MIAA Media Affairs head, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday that Lea Leonor, an employee of Nissan rent- a-car at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) tried to steal the mobile phone left by a passenger inside a restroom's cubicle.
The passenger asked Leonor if she found the phone inside the cubicle but the airport worker merely dismissed the query.
The passenger sought help from the airport police, who checked the CCTV footage which showed Leonor walking toward the car rental lounge.
Upon interrogation, Leonor admitted to getting the phone. The passenger did not file any criminal charge against Leonor but decided to press an administrative charge.
"The incident happened last January 6, and the police officers were able to solve this case on the same day," MIAA Public Affairs Department's officer-in-charge Consuelo Bungag told PNA.
Bungag added that MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal ordered the revocation of Leonor's pass, and also directed her inclusion in MIAA's "stop list".
MIAA requires all its employees to turn over to the lost and found section any item they accidentally find or left behind by a passenger.
Not turning over an item of a passenger is a grave offense for MIAA employees. (PNA)
