Man tries to snatch belongings of CNN Hero of the Year

(Updated 9:38 PM) A man tried to snatch belongings of CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida while he was at the Centennial Airport in Pasay City. Peñaflorida just arrived from Hong Kong and was about to leave the airport around 1:30 p.m. Friday when the incident took place. Bonn Manalaysay, who was with Peñaflorida at the airport, told GMANews.TV that they were about to board their car when an old woman – later identified as Corazon dela Peña, 70 –suddenly cut across their path. While waiting for de la Peña to go her way, they discovered that a man who they previously thought was a woman, was already rummaging through Peñaflorida’s shoulder bag. Fifty-two-year-old Molly Fernandez, the alleged thief, got hold of the victim’s pouch but was later apprehended by a CNN correspondent, who had been accompanying Peñaflorida on his trips. “Tapos nalaglag niya yung pouch…na may laman na sepilyo, mouthwash, toothpaste (Then the pouch, that contained toothpaste, mouthwash, and toothbrush, fell to the ground)," said Manalaysay. To their surprise, dela Peña immediately defended the suspect and cried, “Hindi, walang kasalanan yan anak ko yan (no, my child is innocent)."
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Airport authorities swiftly came to the scene but were only able to apprehend Fernandez, said Manalaysay. The incident reportedly prompted Manila International Airport Authority general manager Alfonso to order a review of closed circuit television (CCTV) footage taken where the theft occurred. Cusi said that the situation was “unfortunate." Theft charges have been filed against Fernandez before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office, airport police said. Peñaflorida was “deeply saddened" by the incident, Manalaysay said. When Peñaflorida returned from the United States last month, he was welcomed by news that 57 people in Maguindanao were massacred. Peñaflorida did not want to tolerate the foiled theft, said Manalaysay. That’s why despite the time constraint, their group immediately lodged a complaint against the suspect. The victim still has to attend to press conferences and a rally at Ayala Avenue in Makati City. “It’s a matter of principle. Gusto niya mabigyan nang solusyon kaya nagtake kami time para dumerecho sa pulis station at sa Hall of Justice malapit sa Pasay City Hall (He wanted to resolve the matter so we took time to go straight to the police station and at the Hall of Justice near the Pasay City Hall)," he said. -ARCS/RJAB Jr. GMANews.TV