MANILA, Philippines – Is the ‘tanim bala’ (bullet planting) modus operandi back at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)? That’s the question on everyone’s mind after a furious flyer, a senior citizen, shared her experience at the airport before their flight to Vietnam.
Ruth Adel, 69, expressed her anger after airport security personnel stopped them on their way to the boarding gate for their Cebu Pacific flight to Vietnam last March 6, alleging that a bullet casing was in her suitcase.
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| The airport security personnel showed them the alleged bullet found inside her bag. Photo credit: Ruth Adel |
In her post on Facebook, Adel explained that they were actually early at the airport to ensure they wouldn’t miss their flight. However, because there were so many people there, they were able to exit the Immigration counter just right before they heard the boarding call for their flight.
They practically had to run towards their boarding gate, but they were still confident they’d make it because they were in boarding group 5.
As they rushed towards the boarding gate, the family first thought of buying water, but a female airport security officer stopped them.
According to Adel, the security officer told her that she had an empty bullet shell as ‘anting-anting’ (talisman) in her suitcase. At first, she actually thought that they were being pranked.
Considering that their flight was nearly ready to take off, Adel suggested that the security officer follow them to the queue at the boarding gate to check her bag there. However, the officer insisted that they go to the search area, pointing to a spot far from where they were standing.
This angered Adel who explained that she’s never even seen what an actual bullet looks like.
Adel further explained to the airport security officer that she really doesn’t have a bullet inside her suitcase, even pointing out her age. Knowing that their flight was already boarding and the security issue could make them miss it, Adel begged the security officer to let them go.
But the airport security personnel insisted on calling their supervisor over the matter, making the family agitated at the thought that they might miss their flight.
When the supervisor arrived after several minutes, they were told that the bullet was supposed to be in her handbag, not the suitcase.
Confused over the inconsistencies but also rushing to get the matter over with, the family showed the officers her bag - and even emptied it of all content to show that there really wasn’t any bullet inside.
Posted by Ruth Adel on Saturday, March 8, 2025
Seeing there wasn’t any bullet inside but the furious family was already taking a video of the ordeal, the security personnel dispersed while covering their nameplates. The family was also told that it was against the law for them to take videos, but they angrily insisted they had the right to do it because they’ll show it as evidence for filing a complaint later.
Thankfully, the airline made sure the plane waited for the family so they wouldn’t miss the flight. She added that the Cebu Pacific flight crew also worried about her and made sure she was alright until they reached their destination.
DOTr chief sacks 3 transport personnel
Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday that the three personnel from the DOTr Office of Transport Security (OTS) have been dismissed following an alleged “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) scheme at NAIA last week.
“So we are hereby announcing the termination of all the people in the OTS who were involved in this incident — three personnel,” he said in a press conference.
The terminations take effect on Monday, March 10, 2025.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
