JANUARY 28, 2026 — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has once again flexed its muscle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), intercepting a 52-year-old Chinese national suspected of being part of a gang notorious for “salisi” thefts inside airplanes. The foreigner, who flew in from Kuala Lumpur last January 20, was stopped at NAIA Terminal 1 after the BI’s Advance Passenger Information System flagged his arrival.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado explained how international cooperation made the interception possible.

“This system allowed us to get advance information about suspected criminals, giving us the opportunity to make the necessary arrangements for their interception,” he explained.

The technology, powered by the UN goTravel software and supported by the Australian government, gave Philippine authorities the edge.

Sky-high salisi

Wait a minute … airplane theft? Yes, it happens. Imagine sitting comfortably on a flight, only to find out later that your cash or valuables have vanished from your hand-carried bag. According to reports, members of this criminal group would casually pull down luggage from overhead bins, rummage through them, and return the bags as if nothing happened. It’s a brazen act that thrives on distraction and passenger trust.

The suspect was denied entry and swiftly deported, now blacklisted from reentering the country. 

Filipinos are no strangers to petty theft, but the idea of being robbed mid-flight — thousands of feet above ground — hits differently. It’s unsettling, and it forces us to rethink how much vigilance we actually practice when traveling. 

Should airlines be more proactive in warning passengers? Should cabin crew be trained to spot suspicious behavior?

This interception is a win for the BI, but it also serves as a reminder: crime doesn’t respect borders, and vigilance shouldn’t stop.

So the next time you board a flight, will you be alert enough to notice if the danger is already sitting just a few rows away?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)