Senate to probe ‘bukas bagahe’ in airports

The Senate committee on public services is set to conduct a probe into the incidents of bukas bagahe, or luggage pilferage, in the country’s airports that have raised concern on the security of travelers.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the committee, filed Senate Resolution 644 setting the conduct of inquiry as several reports from passengers alleging their luggage were opened at the airports resurfaced.

The senator expressed concern that pilferage at airports, if left unabated, is a “huge security threat” and may lead to loss of confidence of potential tourists and investors. “The government needs to protect its people, especially OFWs, who work so hard to earn a living,” Poe said, referring to overseas Filipino workers.

President Duterte last month ordered the termination of contract of aviation service provider Miascor, following the luggage theft at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga last Jan. 18.

Six employees of Miascor assigned at the Clark International Airport were terminated and face charges due to the incident.

But Duterte’s directive that he does not want baggage theft to happen again at airports did not deter thieves at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as a new case of alleged baggage pilferage surfaced on Feb. 9.

OFW Ramon Segarra complained about the damaged lock and zipper of his luggage and the missing items inside it.

“While administrative and criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrators who happened to be employees of a ground handling firm, this failed to serve as deterrent for similar incidents to occur,” Poe said.

Airport theft and luggage pilferage have been left unreported and travelers instead post their harrowing experiences on social media.