NAIA Security Breach: Multi-Million Peso Watch Heist Exposes Critical Flaws

NAIA Security Breach: Multi-Million Peso Watch Heist Exposes Critical Flaws

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | October 30, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – A high-profile multi-million peso luxury watch theft at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 has ignited a national security crisis, exposing vulnerabilities in the nation’s primary international gateway and prompting scrutiny into the French victim’s true intentions. Three luxury Audemars Piguet watches, valued between P15 million and P18 million, were stolen from French national Anthony Boukhors, only to be recovered following public pressure and a shocking P120,000 resale.

The incident, highlighted by Senator Raffy Tulfo, unfolded rapidly:

• October 20: Anthony Boukhors arrived in Manila from Taipei, allegedly for leisure.
• While booking a ride at Terminal 1, his bag containing the three high-value timepieces was stolen.
• The alleged thief reportedly sold the watches to a Baclaran shop for only P120,000.
• Boukhors, after appealing to Senator Tulfo, offered a P1-million reward.
• A tip-off and intervention by Tulfo’s staff led to the watches’ recovery.
• Boukhors, having already returned to France, is scheduled to fly back to retrieve his recovered watches, currently under Senator Tulfo’s custody.

CCTV Failures and Coordination Issues

The recovery, while resolving the immediate crime, revealed systemic failures within NAIA’s security apparatus. During a Senate hearing, Boukhors disclosed that multiple critical CCTV cameras, including those near the Grab pickup area essential for tracking the theft, were non-operational. Alarmingly, Boukhors highlighted a severe lack of inter-team coordination, stating, “Separate teams could not access each other’s CCTV systems, complicating efforts to track down the suspect.”

Senator Raffy Tulfo, expressing outrage, sharply rebuked Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) officials. “You are utterly useless!” Tulfo reportedly exclaimed, demanding a comprehensive report on all MIAA-supervised CCTV cameras within 48 hours and immediate repairs. This urgency escalates as NAIA anticipates approximately 1.25 million passengers during the upcoming Undas holiday, raising serious questions about traveler safety.

“Holiday” or Hidden Agenda?

Beyond the airport’s glaring security deficiencies, Boukhors’ narrative of a simple holiday has drawn skepticism. His arrival with three multi-million peso luxury watches in a trolley bag—and his abrupt departure to France immediately after the theft, concluding a visit of less than a week—has fueled speculation.

Boukhors subsequently traveled to Tokyo, Japan—a globally recognized hub for luxury watch reselling. Tokyo’s prominent shopping districts, including Ginza, Nakano, and Shinjuku, are home to specialist dealers in rare, vintage, and discontinued Audemars Piguet watches, particularly the highly coveted Royal Oak collection, which commands millions.

The “coincidence” of a victim whose luxury watches were stolen in Manila immediately traveling to a city renowned for high-value watch trade has not gone unnoticed. While Boukhors maintains his holiday claim, unanswered questions persist:

• Was his trip genuinely for leisure, or did it involve an undisclosed meeting related to the luxury watch trade?
• Senator Tulfo himself raised suspicions of a possible “inside job,” questioning whether the thief was alerted to the valuable contents of Boukhors’ luggage.

Currently, no confirmed evidence implicates Boukhors in any watch transaction or substantiates an inside job. He remains the reported victim of a crime that has exposed critical deficiencies in the Philippines’ primary international gateway.

DOTr Reaffirms Authority Amid Security Crisis

In the wake of this high-profile breach, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has swiftly moved to reaffirm its authority over critical airport security functions. Department Order No. 2026-020 clarifies that final security screening at civilian airports, including those operating under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, remains under government authority. This order aims to establish clear lines of accountability as airport operational and management frameworks evolve.

The DOTr emphasized that this directive, which covers the inspection of passengers, carry-on baggage, and checked baggage, falls within the existing mandate of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS). Critically, the Department clarified that the order does not constitute a government takeover of general airport security operations, nor does it alter the responsibilities of airport operators and security agencies beyond the scope of final security screening.

This policy will extend to future airport PPP projects, while existing agreements will undergo review to ensure alignment with government policy on final security screening. The DOTr underscored the paramount importance of clear responsibilities and close coordination among security agencies and airport operators, especially as the Philippines prepares to host foreign leaders and delegates for the ASEAN Summit in November. The OTS, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and other concerned airport authorities have been directed to coordinate with airport operators to ensure seamless continuity of security services and prevent disruptions to airport operations.

This incident has ignited a national discourse on airport security, compelling authorities to address systemic flaws and prompting uncomfortable questions about the motives behind high-stakes travel. As investigations continue, the paramount focus remains on safeguarding millions of travelers and uncovering the full truth behind this perplexing theft.

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