BI intercepts 3 Chinese men for alleged theft in PAL flight

Authorities arrested three Chinese men who were allegedly involved in a theft incident in a Manila-bound flight, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Based on initial investigation, Immigration said suspects Lyu Shuiming, 48; Xu Xianpu, 41; and Xie Xiaoyong, 54; were apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on September 15 for allegedly stealing a handbag on a Philippine Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The bureau said a flight attendant witnessed Lyu and his cohorts opening an overhead stowage bin to steal the bag owned by a female judge. Lyu was later seen rummaging through the victim’s personal belongings, taking valuables and cash worth P63,000.

The three men were reportedly transiting the Philippines from Malaysia to Hong Kong.

The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group apprehended Lyu, while Xu and Xie boarded an outbound flight. All suspects were recommended to be placed under the BI blacklist.

“We will not allow these kinds of foreigners to victimize our kababayan,” said BI Officer-in-Charge Joel Anthony Viado in a press statement.

“The BI will continue to monitor the progress of this case, and blacklist any other members that might be found,” he added. —Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News