Press Release
April 23, 2016

Villar: Resurgence of 'tanim-bala' shows heartlessness
of airport officials

Sen. Cynthia Villar said the resurgence of new victims of the bullet-planting syndicate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) only shows the heartlessness and incompetence of airport officials to solve this problem.

"It can only be perceived as heartlessness and incompetence on the part of airport officials who allowed this criminal activity to persist despite public uproar," Villar said.

Villar noted that the 'tanim-bala' modus operandi at NAIA caused a stir last quarter of 2015 and was also investigated by the Senate.

Last April 19, NAIA personnel barred Esteban Cortabista, 78, and his wife Salvacion, 75, of Boso-Boso, Antipolo, Rizal, from boarding a US-bound flight after the Office of Transport Security reported finding a live .38 -caliber bullet in one of their bags at Terminal 1.

Airport officials have also held for questioning Nino Namba, a wheelchair attendant who allegedly asked for P50,000 to settle the case.

"This time the victims are ailing senior citizens. These airport officials simply don't care, they lack sympathy for the victims, whoever they are," Villar added.

Reports say the incident caused Salvacion's blood pressure to shot up and despite this condition, the couple were brought to the Department of Justice for the filing of charges of illegal possession of ammunition.

Villar authored Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1643 seeking an expression of the Senate's strong sense against the deplorable acts of "tanim-bala" or "Iaglag bala" modus operandi that victimizes flight passengers, especially Overseas Filipino Workers.

News Latest News Feed