HK OFW claims losing P300k to ‘friendly’ thief at Manila airport

Martin (with back turned) hits suspect Zamora (with hood) after the latter's arrest

By The SUN

Martin

A Hong Kong-based domestic helper who flew home for a vacation has reportedly lost more than P300,000 in cash and personal belongings to a thief who befriended her inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

The victim, Germelie Martin, immediately reported the theft to police at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 and identified the thief through a rogues’ gallery.

Zamora

A follow-up operation by the police led to the arrest of the suspect, a certain Kay Juvy Macalalad Zamora of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, investigators said.

Zamora allegedly sweet-talked Martin into withdrawing money from a nearby ATM, then handing over her bag containing Php270,000 and HK$10,000 cash, jewelry, passport, and cell phone. The suspect then slipped away with the bag.

The recovered loot

The officers who arrested Zamora reportedly recovered some of the stolen items and cash amounting to Php65,000.

The alleged theft not only ruined Martin’s vacation, it also deprived her of the chance to redeem a property that her family had mortgaged to secure a loan.

“Pinaghirapan ko po ang pera bilang isang DH pero ninakaw lang po nang walang kapagud-pagod,” media reports from Manila quoted her as saying.

Martin said in a complaint filed with the Airport Police that Zamora approached and engaged her in a friendly chat as she was waiting in the departure area for her connecting flight to Tuguegarao City.

ABS-CBN News reported that airport officials found out Zamora was also involved in other incidents that victimized returning OFWs.

Suportahan natin ang ating mga sponsor: