Manila Times
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Sunday, Apr 05, 2026
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Five Members of Salisi Gang Arrested at NAIA
Joint operation leads to the apprehension of suspects involved in thefts at Manila's international airport.
Five suspected members of the Salisi Gang, known for targeting passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, were arrested following several weeks of surveillance by the Pasay City Police, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), and the Airport Police Department.
According to police reports, the group was involved in a series of theft incidents at NAIA from April 28 to May 5. The gang typically executed their crimes between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM during the shift change of security personnel.
Members of the gang would distract passengers, while accomplices would seize valuables, particularly luggage and electronic gadgets.
Authorities recovered two mobile phones and one laptop from the suspects.
The apprehended individuals face charges of theft, resistance and disobedience to persons in authority, and attempted escape.
In a separate incident at NAIA, the Bureau of Customs seized illegal drugs valued at approximately PHP 4.3 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
On Tuesday, six parcels originating from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Thailand were discovered, falsely declared as skincare products, board games, and plumbing materials.
The contraband included 1,330 ecstasy tablets and 362 grams of heroin, which were detected through X-ray screening.
The seized items have been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation, with individuals involved in the smuggling operations slated to face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio affirmed the ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug entry into the country.
Additionally, in a drug-related operation in Pampanga, agents from the PDEA confiscated 101 kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at PHP 680 million, from a Chinese national and his Filipino wife during a buy-bust operation in Angeles City.
The suspects, identified by the aliases 'Wang' and 'Sha', were arrested after an undercover operation where the transaction for the illegal drugs took place.
They were apprehended along Friendship Highway in Barangay Sto.
Domingo.
PDEA believes the illegal substances were intended for extensive distribution in the province and nearby areas.
Efforts are underway to investigate the suspects' accomplices, suspected to be part of a larger drug syndicate.
Both suspects will face charges under Republic Act 9165.
In Batangas, 11 individuals were apprehended for violating a liquor ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the evening before election day.
According to Region 4A authorities, seven men were caught drinking gin in a garage in Barangay Cawit, Taal.
Additionally, a man who was reported by medical staff for being intoxicated and causing an accident was arrested in Lipa City.
A further individual was taken into custody for drinking by the roadside in Barangay Caloocan, with two others arrested for walking unsteadily due to intoxication.
The arrested individuals are now in police custody and will face charges for violating the liquor ban during the election period.
According to police reports, the group was involved in a series of theft incidents at NAIA from April 28 to May 5. The gang typically executed their crimes between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM during the shift change of security personnel.
Members of the gang would distract passengers, while accomplices would seize valuables, particularly luggage and electronic gadgets.
Authorities recovered two mobile phones and one laptop from the suspects.
The apprehended individuals face charges of theft, resistance and disobedience to persons in authority, and attempted escape.
In a separate incident at NAIA, the Bureau of Customs seized illegal drugs valued at approximately PHP 4.3 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.
On Tuesday, six parcels originating from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Thailand were discovered, falsely declared as skincare products, board games, and plumbing materials.
The contraband included 1,330 ecstasy tablets and 362 grams of heroin, which were detected through X-ray screening.
The seized items have been turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for further investigation, with individuals involved in the smuggling operations slated to face charges under Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio affirmed the ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug entry into the country.
Additionally, in a drug-related operation in Pampanga, agents from the PDEA confiscated 101 kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at PHP 680 million, from a Chinese national and his Filipino wife during a buy-bust operation in Angeles City.
The suspects, identified by the aliases 'Wang' and 'Sha', were arrested after an undercover operation where the transaction for the illegal drugs took place.
They were apprehended along Friendship Highway in Barangay Sto.
Domingo.
PDEA believes the illegal substances were intended for extensive distribution in the province and nearby areas.
Efforts are underway to investigate the suspects' accomplices, suspected to be part of a larger drug syndicate.
Both suspects will face charges under Republic Act 9165.
In Batangas, 11 individuals were apprehended for violating a liquor ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the evening before election day.
According to Region 4A authorities, seven men were caught drinking gin in a garage in Barangay Cawit, Taal.
Additionally, a man who was reported by medical staff for being intoxicated and causing an accident was arrested in Lipa City.
A further individual was taken into custody for drinking by the roadside in Barangay Caloocan, with two others arrested for walking unsteadily due to intoxication.
The arrested individuals are now in police custody and will face charges for violating the liquor ban during the election period.
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