Cebu Pacific: No baggage theft by staff

AFP FILE PHOTO

Budget airline Cebu Pacific has cleared its staff of any wrongdoing in the alleged pilferage incident on its 5J 113 flight.

Airline authorities conducted its own investigation on the matter and ruled that its staff could not be held liable for negligence or any criminal activities over the reported lost valuables of a female passenger.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Cebu Pacific said the package of the woman who flew from Hong Kong to Manila last Sunday was not tampered with while it was with the said airline.

“After a thorough investigation, which included inquiries with the ground staff, viewing body cam and fixed CCTV footage, we found that there were no discrepancies nor indications of tampering in the baggage of the concerned passenger under the care and custody of Cebu Pacific,” the company said.

All of the reports and footage would be submitted to the Manila International Airport Authority, Cebu Pacific said.

Last Sunday, a video of a woman complaining after seeing her package opened and valuable items lost at the baggage carousel went viral on Facebook.

According to a previous statement from Cebu Pacific, the female passenger flew with a different airline from London en route to Hong Kong, before boarding their plane to Manila.

“CCTV security footage showed that the baggage container arrived (in) Manila intact, with the passenger’s baggage inside,” the company said.  “CCTV footage further showed ground personnel loading the baggage on the carousel with the lock still in place.”             /kga