MANILA - Authorities recovered $100 from one of the two baggage inspectors who were caught stealing from a Taiwanese passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last week, a police official said.
The money was retrieved from Reinielle G. Alvarez while under interrogation by the Airport Police Intelligence and Investigation Division, said Inspector Roderick Mejia.
Alvarez and fellow baggage inspector Nievel Gorpe initially denied stealing $2,600 from Taiwanese national Cheng Chun Shu on Aug. 30 until they were shown surveillance footage of the theft, Mejia said.
Alvarez retracted his denial and admitted that he and Gorpe were the ones in the video, which will be used as evidence when charges are filed, Mejia said.
Gorpe denied wrongdoing despite Alvarez's admission, Mejia said.
The entire shift of inspector at the time of the alleged theft was suspended by the Office for Transportation Security while the incident is being investigated.