CAAP commends 2 honest airport cleaners

MANILA — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday commended two cleaners of Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) for turning over to authorities’ valuable items left behind by passengers.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said cleaner Arron Paul Villanueva found a yellow plastic bag at the pre-departure area on Sunday. It contained four mobile phones, one tablet computer, and 24 pieces of sunglasses.

Villanueva turned over the items to the airport’s Malasakit Help Desk and the rightful owner was able to claim these on Monday.

In October, cleaner Gracelyn Alihuddin found a bag containing at least PHP200,000 cash, laptop, mobile phone, passport, and other documents.

She turned these over to an airport police officer.

“The (owner), a Chinese national, was staying at a hotel walking distance from the airport, so he was able to claim the items he left on the same day,” Apolonio said.

He said the two airport workers will get a certificate of special recognition during the ZIA’s Christmas party on December 16.