Investigator of Marcos Regime Robbed in N.Y.

NEW YORK —  The head of the Philippine commission investigating alleged corruption in the Marcos regime was robbed of his briefcase, which contained papers related to the inquiry, while in a Manhattan restaurant, police said today.

Sen. Jovito Salonga was in the restaurant with his family Thursday night when his attache case, which also contained more than $7,000 in cash and travelers checks and airplane tickets, and his wife’s Gucci handbag were stolen, police said.

Police said Salonga was about to dine at the Woo Lae Oak Korean Restaurant with his wife, Lydia, and daughter, Victoria, when a man in a trenchcoat and hat approached Victoria and pointed to five $1 bills on the floor, police said.

Connection Uncertain

As she bent to pick up the money, Salonga and his wife were distracted. When they turned around seconds later, their bags were gone and the man had fled.

The thief was described by police as a heavyset Asian man in his 30s.

It was not clear whether the theft was connected with Salonga’s investigation or was a coincidence.

Morton Stavis, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is representing the Aquino government in several court cases, said the originals of the documents are in Manila.