Noy on tanim-bala: Just 3 of 34 M travelers

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino blamed the media Sunday for “sensationalizing” the tanim-bala (bullet-planting) racket at the country’s airports.

Aquino, citing statistics provided by airport authorities, said only 1,200 of 34 million passengers each year are charged with possessing ammunition.

Of these cases, only three are recorded incidents of alleged extortion by Office of Transport Security personnel, who are tasked to screen the luggage of travelers at the airports. The victims said they had to shell out money to avoid detention and charges.

“Puwede ba nating sabihin na ang taas ng probability na magkakaroon ako ng ganyang isyu kung ganun ang numero mo (Can we say that this issue would not be brought against me with these figures)? Three out of 34 million?” he asked reporters at the Hotel Intercontinental in Malaysia Sunday night.

Aquino said he also has to take into consideration the government officials and employees who may have been unfairly accused.

He said the issue has been blown out of proportion – probably because the controversy is good copy and the Philippines is now in an unofficial election campaign season.

“This was sensationalized and some benefited from this. At the end, we need proof one way or the other,” he said, adding that he is not sweeping the allegations under the rug.

Tarlac officials victimized

According to earlier reports, Tarlac Rep. Noel Villanueva and provincial board member Tootsie Cruz fell victim to the extortion scheme.

Villanueva said two bullets were found in the “outside pocket” of his luggage when he left for Cebu City in August 2014 to attend a convention.

He said officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 allowed him to go since he had a permit to carry firearms.

Villanueva said bullets were also found in the outside pocket of Cruz’s luggage last August when she was supposed to go to Cebu City.

Villanueva said airport personnel should be inspected for bullets before reporting for duty and that incidents like the ones involving himself and Cruz should also be recorded.

More time for probe

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has given the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) task force probing the tanim-bala incidents until Dec. 8 to complete its report.

The NBI sought the extension of the deadline reportedly after gathering conflicting information submitted by government agencies involved in these incidents.

DOJ Undersecretary and spokesman Emmanuel Caparas said earlier admitted that one of the angles the NBI looked into is that the incidents were intended to sabotage the Aquino administration.

Released

Another passenger apprehended at the NAIA for bullet possession was released last Saturday.

Seaman Mark Angelo Leonida was allowed to leave for Los Angeles, California at around 1 a.m. after the Pasay prosecutor’s office filed by the airport police was dismissed, Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda- Acosta said.

Acosta, who has been helping victims of the alleged syndicate preying on passengers at the airport, said the prosecutor did not find probable cause in the charge against Leonida due to the lack of criminal intent to possess the bullet.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has so far helped 29 individuals caught with bullets at the airport, and the cases against 18 of them have been dismissed.

PAO has pending motion to dismiss with the prosecutor’s office for the 11 others. – With Edu Punay