P500K worth of missing jewelry in NAIA found
In a social media post, passenger Kimberly Nakamura said her jewelry box containing wedding rings, a diamond necklace, and earrings went missing at NAIA during her flight to Singapore on June 28.
She reached out to Cebu Pacific, the Changi Airport in Singapore, and NAIA 3, but no items were found.
After posting on Facebook, a Cebu Pacific agent informed Nakamura that the jewelry box was seen at Gate 104 at NAIA 3.
Upon reviewing CCTV footage, Nakamura said more than 10 airport personnel were seen handling the jewelry box from June 28 to June 29.
'This marked the beginning of a series of mishandlings that led to the disappearance of both rings. From a simple lost and found case, it became theft,' Nakamura said.
On July 8, Nakamura said her jewelry box, containing only the earrings and necklace, was recovered by the Airport Police Department.
'The staff member who surrendered the item later confessed to taking it home for personal use. She stated there were no rings inside when she found the jewelry box,' Nakamura recounted.
Her husband's ring was returned on July 13 after she earlier warned the involved personnel that she will press charges for gross negligence and qualified theft.
The following day, Nakamura said she received an anonymous text message saying her ring was hidden under a table at Gate 104.
'We recovered everything po. My diamond necklace and two platinum wedding rings with diamond stones. But my husband's ring was heavily scratched kasi nilagay lang daw sa bag. But anyway, we will rebuff it na lang po (because it was put in a bag, but we will rebuff it). Estimated value is P500,000,' Nakamura told GMA News Online.
'It was very distressing, but we're very happy and at peace now,' she added.
Nakamura urged NAIA to take action as the person who stole her ring remains unidentified.
'This must not be tolerated. I urge you to take action so that no one else has to go through what I did. Your employees were involved in acts of dishonesty and negligence, and such behavior has no place in any responsible system,' Nakamura said.
Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eric Ines assured that the involved personnel will be held accountable.
'Even though the victim did not pursue legal action, we are coordinating with the concerned airlines and security agencies to ensure that those involved are held accountable. This behavior has no place in our airport,' Ines said in a statement.
He urged the involved airlines and security agencies to take disciplinary action against those responsible for the missing jewelry.
Meanwhile, the personnel involved in the recovery of the missing jewelry are expected to receive formal commendation during the next flag-raising ceremony, as recommended by the MIAA Praise Committee. — RF, GMA Integrated News
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