An immigration officer, who turned over an envelope containing P56,871 in cash he found in between counters at Terminal III of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), received accolades and commendations from his peers and officials led by Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
In a statement, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said that Commissioner Tansingco issued a citation to Immigration Officer III Vicente S. Estacio for his honesty "that sets a good example to other public servants."
“His actions show that there are still a lot of good people in government,” Tansingco said.
Estacio, who is assigned as a duty supervisor at the NAIA Terminal 3, narrated he chanced upon the envelope while doing his usual rounds at the immigration departure area at around 7 a.m. last Aug. 14.
“Naawa ako sa may-ari kasi naisip ko na baka panggastos niya ito sa pag biyahe niya abroad (I felt sorry for the owner because I imagined this is his pocket money during his trip abroad),” said Estacio.
Estacio said he waited for someone to claim the envelope but when none came, he said he turned it over to the lost and found office of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAAP.