MIAA sheds light on deported OFW's complain about ‘tampered’ baggage in viral video

Two days after a video of a deported Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), who claims to have lost valuable items from his checked-in baggage, went viral on social media, the Manila International Airport and Authority (MIAA) on Thursday disclosed information from its initial investigation.

In a social media post,  OFW Andrew Montes, said he and his co-deportees arrived in the Philippines on November 17 from a direct flight from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He said that the Jeddah immigration personnel instructed them to check-in everything, as they were not allowed to carry any of their belongings.

"Ang sabi po sa mga pulis (Immigration) sa Jeddah bawal po namin bitbitin kahit anong gamit, kailangan daw po namin ilagay sa aming bagahe. Kaya po sinunod namin sila," he posted.

When they landed in Manila, Montes said he was surprised to find out that his mobile phone, cash money, and some jewelry were missing in the baggage.

As a response, MIAA coordinated with the ground handler of Saudi Airline at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and found no basis for Montes's allegation.

"It was learned that footage taken from body cameras of their ramp agents revealed no noticeable irregularities or mishandling of baggage," MIAA said in a statement.

The Saudia Airline has also informed Montes that the airline cannot be made liable for undeclared valuables placed inside his baggage.

Several reports from other Filipino deportees, however, have been observed by MIAA based on records claiming that they also lost items from their checked-in luggage in previous Saudi Airline flights.

According to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Montes sought assistance from their office on November 20 but he did not file a formal complaint after he was advised that compensation for lost valuable items was subject to proper declaration during check-in.

MIAA reminded the air passengers to be mindful of the standard operating procedures in airlines, especially in baggage check-in.

Posting "baseless" complaints on social media was also discouraged.

“Hindi nakakatulong sa ating bansa ang mga akusasyong walang basehan. Dapat maging mahinahon at alamin ang puno't dulo ng lahat. Sa pangyayaring ito, muli na namang nalagay sa masama ang imahe ng NAIA at tingin ng mundo sa ating bansa. Nakakalungkot,” MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News