Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) – An airport security guard has returned a suitcase containing cash and jewelry worth over ₱1.9 million to the owner, officials reported Tuesday.
Authorities said security guard Mahmud Mastul found the suitcase at the arrival area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 last Friday.
Mastul sought assistance from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group to clear off the luggage of any threat and to return it to the owner.
“Kung hindi naman sa iyo, malaki man o maliit na bagay, kailangan mo i-surrender kasi hindi naman sa iyo ‘yung gamit na ‘yon…Kailangan isasauli sa tunay na may-ari ang gamit na ‘yon,” said Mastul who has been working at NAIA since 2016.
“Ang mahalaga lang sa akin ay maisauli ko ang kumpletong gamit na walang kulang,” he added.
[Translation: If it is not yours, whether it is a big or small thing, you must surrender it because it is not yours… It must be returned to the owner. What’s important to me is to return the suitcase without anything missing.]
MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co commended Mastul.
“Mr. Mastul’s display of honesty, by promptly reporting the incident, not only sets a good example to his colleagues but also proves that our efforts to promote integrity and professionalism among airport workers is gaining ground from all levels of service,” Co said.
