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Poe says NAIA 'tanim-bala' incident disturbing, lauds DOTr's swift action

Philippines | National

Poe says NAIA 'tanim-bala' incident disturbing, lauds DOTr's swift action

By Dhel Nazario

Senator Grace Poe lauded the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) swift action regarding the recent "tanim-bala" incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 by ordering the dismissal of three employees of the Office of Transportation Security (OTS).

"We welcome the swift action of DOTr Secretary Dizon on the 'tanim-bala' incident," she said in a statement on Monday, March 10.

"As the investigation proceeds, we hope assistance could be extended to the 69-year-old victim of this disturbing case," she added.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, 69-year-old Ruth Adel, who was set to travel to Vietnam with her family, accused NAIA security personnel of planting a bullet in her baggage as they were about to board their flight on March 6.

According to Adel, the security personnel claimed they had an x-ray image of an “anting-anting” (lucky charm) in the form of a bullet inside her baggage.

She said a thorough inspection of the bag revealed no bullet casting in the bag.

The “tanim-bala” scheme became prevalent in 2015, when NAIA security personnel were alleged to have planted bullets in the baggage of passengers in order to extort money from them.

Poe said innocent travelers do not deserve the trauma and trouble caused by rogue airport personnel supposed to provide security, not imperil their safety.

"Concerned authorities must not allow this defanged scheme to make a comeback to pester passengers anew," she said.

Related Tags

Tanim-bala Senator Grace Poe Department of Transportation (DOTr) Ninoy Aquino International Airport

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