MCIA passenger with 4 bullets in baggage held

Local

A 47-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested at Mactan International Airport (MCIA) on March 27 after security personnel found four bullets in her hand-carry baggage during a routine screening.

The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) flagged the ammunition during an X-ray scan at around 1 p.m., prompting a manual inspection by authorities.

Officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Unit confirmed that the bullets were inside a pouch within the passenger’s bag.

The woman, a Lapu-Lapu City resident and Human Resources (HR) manager, was preparing to board a flight to Tacloban City, Leyte. However, she failed to provide the required documentation to legally possess the ammunition.

She was taken into custody for violating Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.

Authorities brought her to the MCIA Police Station for booking and the filing of criminal charges.

The passenger underwent inquest proceedings on March 28 and is expected to post bail on March 31.

MCIA Police Chief Police Major Ricky Calong reminded passengers to carefully inspect their luggage, particularly if it was given to them by someone else, and to refrain from carrying bullets, which some individuals keep as lucky charms.

‘Tanim bala’ fears

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public that the controversial "tanim-bala" (bullet-planting) scheme is not making a comeback under the current administration.

He addressed concerns following recent incidents where bullets were found in passengers’ luggage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports.

Dizon clarified that these cases do not indicate a resurgence of the past scam and emphasized that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is actively monitoring the situation to prevent any form of misconduct.

He urged travelers to thoroughly check their belongings before heading to the airport to avoid complications.

Other incidents

On March 27, authorities at Clark International Airport in Pampanga apprehended a 72-year-old woman after security screening revealed a bullet concealed inside a sealed can of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste).

Three days earlier, on March 24, a male overseas Filipino worker bound for the Cayman Islands was detained at NAIA after security officers discovered four bullets inside his bag.(MyTVCebu)