Bullet shells seized from Japanese passengers

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of Transportation Security (OTS) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals in Pasay City confiscated last Sunday empty bullet shells from three Japanese passengers and a bullet from an airport visitor.

OTS supervisor Amie Bibat said airport personnel intercepted three empty shells of .50 caliber, .45 caliber and 9mm bullets from the Japanese male passengers who arrived from Guam with a connecting flight to Osaka, Japan.

Ryo Matsuraa, Akira Nishinono and Marise Noda claimed they kept the empty shells as “souvenirs” after they fired guns at a firing range in Guam.

The empty shells were detected inside their trolley bags by the X-ray machine at the initial security check.

Airport authorities confiscated the bullet shells and warned the Japanese about the ban on carrying bullets on board airplanes. The Japanese were later allowed to board their flight after proper documentation.

Another visitor, identified as Elizabeth Bermido of Makati City, was caught with a .38 caliber bullet in her wallet last Sunday when she tried to enter Gate 2 of NAIA Terminal 3 to welcome a relative.

OTS supervisor Erwin Torrato said Bermido told authorities that the bullet is her amulet. She was later released.