24.4 kilos of gold jewelry stashed in plane lavatory

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Philippine Airlines are investigating an attempt to smuggle into the country 24.4 kilos of gold jewelry hidden in the lavatory of PAL flight PR 301 when it arrived at the NAIA from Hong Kong on Nov. 17.

The gold jewelry, packed into eight bundles and wrapped with duct tape, had been discovered during formalities conducted by BOC boarding inspectors, BOC-NAIA district collector Mimel Talusan said yesterday.

She ordered a thorough investigation to identify the persons responsible for the attempt to smuggle the jewelry, valued at around P80 million.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the airline is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

She said the airline’s security department reported the tampering of the aircraft lavatory to the police Aviation Security Group and requested an immediate investigation upon the flight’s arrival in Manila.

“Pending the completion of the investigations of the authorities, PAL is unable to issue any further statement on the issue. Rest assured, the investigation is underway to ferret out the truth behind this incident,” Villaluna said.

Sources said the flight’s crewmembers were interviewed by police investigators.