A Personal Lesson in Vigilance: Theft at NAIA Terminal 2 Exposes Security Gaps
On March 27, 2026, at 9:05 AM, within NAIA Terminal 2 in Pasay City, what began as a peaceful respite from exhaustion after attending the 39th AACCUP Conference and General Assembly in Malate quickly transformed into a bitter reminder of human vulnerability, even in places we trust to be safe.
I deliberately chose my spot, near the prayer room at the Our Lady of Airways chapel, adjacent to a charging station, and close to fast-food outlets and the PAL office. In my mind, this was a strategic location: easily accessible, well-lit, and offering spiritual comfort. However, due to physical fatigue, I rested and dozed off briefly while waiting for my flight back to Cebu. I hung my sling bag on the handle of my suitcase, covered it with my jacket, and believed it was secure.
But in just a few minutes, everything vanished. Upon waking, my bag was gone. Inside were my money in two wallets, identification cards, ATM cards, cellphone, and other personal items—I had become a victim of 'salisi' or theft. According to a female police officer at the terminal, my chosen area remained a public space with no guarantee of security, no matter how strategic the selection.
Revealing a Harsh Reality
This incident unveils a stark truth: security is sometimes merely a feeling, not a guarantee. Even in places we perceive as disciplined and controlled, weaknesses exist. In such moments, personal vigilance serves as the ultimate defense. More distressingly, such crimes are not always born out of livelihood shortages. Sometimes, they result from deliberate malicious acts—despite the possibility that the perpetrator may have received education or opportunities to serve others, whether in government or the private sector.
For me, this experience was a profound lesson. Trust must always be accompanied by caution. Fatigue should never justify a lapse in attentiveness. Above all, security cannot be left solely to institutions—we must actively practice and safeguard it ourselves.
Moving Forward with Awareness
In the end, it was not just material possessions that I lost. What remains is the knowledge and readiness to share this experience—not to harbor resentment, but to remind others: even in places we believe to be safe, vigilance should never be forgotten. This story underscores the ongoing need for both personal responsibility and systemic improvements in public safety measures.
