Photo Courtesy: Kimberly Nikamura
A FEMALE passenger, Kimberly Nakamura, has been reunited with P500,000 worth of jewelry lost at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
Nakamura reported the disappearance of a jewelry box containing wedding rings, a diamond necklace, and earrings after her June 28th flight to Singapore. Initial searches by Cebu Pacific, Changi Airport, and NAIA 3 proved fruitless.
After a Facebook post detailing the incident, a Cebu Pacific agent revealed that the jewelry box had been sighted at a gate. CCTV footage showed over ten airport personnel handling the box between June 28th and 29th.
Nakamura stated that this marked a shift from a simple lost-and-found case to a potential theft. On July 8th, the Airport Police Department recovered the necklace and earrings. A staff member confessed to taking the box home, claiming no rings were present upon discovery.
Nakamura’s husband’s ring was returned on July 13th, following her threat of legal action for gross negligence and qualified theft. An anonymous tip led to the recovery of the ring, albeit scratched, from under a table at Gate 104. Nakamura confirmed the recovery of all her jewelry, expressing relief despite the damage to one ring.
Nakamura has called for action against the unidentified thief and urged NAIA to address the negligence and dishonesty revealed by the incident. Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines assured accountability for the involved personnel, despite Nakamura’s decision not to pursue legal action.
Ines stated that the MIAA is working with airlines and security agencies to ensure disciplinary action. Meanwhile, personnel involved in the jewelry’s recovery are slated to receive commendation at the next flag-raising ceremony.
