NAIA personnel involved in alleged 'tanim-bala' scheme fired
Department of Transportation Sec. Vince Dizon fired the three airport personnel who were allegedly involved in a "tanim-bala" scheme against a 69-year-old woman at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 6 last March 6.
"Hindi natin dapat pinapahirapan ang mga kababayan natin. Hindi natin inaabuso, dapat pinagsisilbihan natin sila," Dizon said in a press conference on March 10.
"I hate to do this, alam ko mahirap mawalan ng trabaho... pero sana we are sending a message loud and clear. We will not tolerate this sort of behavior. We are announcing the termination of all people in the [Office for Transportation Security] who are involved in this incident."
OTS Administrator Arthur Bisnar said an investigation on the matter is ongoing, and other consequences, including filing of cases, have yet to be determined.
Bisnar clarified that there's no "tanim-bala" that happened in the first place as no ammunition was found in the luggage of Ruth Adel.
He noted that the three personnel, in their statements, said they only supposedly realized that there was an alleged bullet in the luggage after getting cleared at the x-ray.
"Hinabol pa nila sa boarding gate ('yung pasahero), eh 'di sigurado kung sino ang pasahero at bagahe na involved," he said. "That's the problem. 'Di nila na-identify fully."
Dizon asked the public to give Bisnar "the opportunity to really get the facts straight and investigate this thoroughly." He added, "Once the investigation is concluded, we can answer it."
Dizon said he requested for the review of procedures and protocols at the OTS.
He also called on Filipinos to report such incidents immediately through a hotline they're planning to put up.
"Anything na maling ginawa sa kababayan natin, ireport ninyo agad sa hotline na iyan," he said. "Huwag na nating hintayin na ilang araw pa, tapos malalaman na lang natin 'pag pinost sa social media."
In a statement hours after the press conference, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation, the San Miguel Corporation-led conglomerate that took over the airport’s operations in 2024, said it's working with the OTS to "reinforce security monitoring, proper screening procedures, and transparency in security operations."
"Our priority is to maintain an airport environment that is safe and efficient for all travelers," it said.
It noted that the OTS, which is "solely in charge of security screening, including x-ray baggage inspections," will be issuing a statement to discuss their findings and any next steps after the investigation.
"NNIC remains committed to working with the OTS and other authorities to provide a secure and seamless airport experience," it said. "For inquiries regarding security procedures and the investigation, we refer passengers to the OTS."
'Anting-anting'
Adel recalled the incident in a Facebook post on March 8.
She said they arrived early at NAIA Terminal 3 for their flight to Vietnam when an OTS personnel approached her as they were about to board their flight.
According to Adel, the personnel, whom she noted was laughing, accused her of having an "anting-anting" in her handbag.
She asserted having no such thing in her possession, but the personnel allegedly insisted on checking her things.
The OTS supervisor arrived, and Adel was shown an x-ray photo of a bag containing a supposed bullet.
Adel's daughter Cai unpacked the bag's contents to prove them wrong, but the damage has been done.
Cai started filming the OTS personnel during the ordeal, but Adel claimed they began turning their backs and covering their name plates.
In an interview with Frontline Pilipinas Weekend, Cai noted that they were shown an x-ray photo of a different bag as her mother didn't have a motorcycle key-like item and rosary.
"Sabi ko, 'Baka tanim-bala 'to? Tanim-bala na naman kayo, ano?'" Adel recalled. "Ngayon lang ako nakapagsalita nang ganun kasi talagang galit na galit na po ako eh."
Cai noted that no bullet was found in their luggage, after all. "Walang karemorse-remorse," she said.
