‘Government officials delaying NBI’s tanim-bala probe’

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe of the alleged bullet planting scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been delayed because officials of the concerned agencies have not made themselves available, an official said yesterday.

The NBI task force has yet to interview officials of various agencies involved in airport operations and gather all the data it needs for its report, which was due on Nov. 18, Justice Undersecretary and spokesman Emmanuel Caparas said.

He added that this is the main reason why the NBI team was given another 15 working days or until Dec. 14 to finish its fact-finding probe.

“The people in offices involved have their own obligations, duties and functions. I wouldn’t say they were uncooperative. It’s just about timing,” he explained in an interview.

Caparas said the NBI team will then continue to conduct interviews and track down the alleged victims of the reported scam.

He added that Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa wants a comprehensive report – even if the trail leads to prominent figures.

Caparas also clarified that the government is not downplaying the bullet planting incidents in the airport following reported statement of President Aquino last week that the issue has been “sensationalized,” supposedly for the benefit of certain groups.

Caparas said the President never downplayed the incidents and in fact wanted a speedy resolution.

Caparas earlier told The STAR that the NBI is looking into the possibility that the incidents are part of a plot to sabotage or discredit the administration, supposedly in relation to next year’s general elections.

Aquino pointed out that only about 1,200 out of 34 million passengers every year have been apprehended for possession of ammunition at the NAIA.