The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) insisted on Monday that it is virtually impossible to plant a bullet inside the baggage of airport passengers and instead blamed the superstitious use of bullets as amulets for the alleged “tanim-bala” cases at airports, reported abs-cbnnews.com.
In a press conference, PNP-AVSEGROUP spokesperson Supt. Jeanne Panisan said it is “impossible” for anyone to plant bullets inside the bags and pieces of luggage of passengers because of the tight security setup being implemented at the airport.
“Base sa imbestigasyon na ginagawa natin, wala siyang posibilidad na pwede siyang matamnan ng bala iyung mga pasahero natin,” Panisan said.
Supt. Panisan added:
“‘Yung katulad ng sinasabi ko kanina, pagpasok niyo pa lang, pagbaba sa taxi ‘di po ba wala namang ano doon, ang pwede lang humawak talaga doon iyung pasahero. At kung nag-request siya ng porter na kung babayaran, iyun lang po yung bubuhat ng bagahe niya.”
“Kasi siya din ang may dala ng bagahe niya. Saka five to 10 meters lang po iyung layo ng conveyor belt na. E paano pa natin masasabi na matataniman ng bala?”
The official then went on “to blame tanim-bala incidents on the superstitious faith of many Filipinos in using bullets as talismans against unknown dangers abroad”, the report added.
“With all due respect po sa mga kababayan natin, malalim po talaga iyung paniniwala natin sa amulet, sa agimat, lalo po iyung medyo may edad. Kumbaga, yung dadatnan natin, lalo kung overseas Filipino worker ka, uncertain ka. E doon [sa anting-anting] ka lang pwedeng kumuha ng parang strength, especially kinalakihan na natin na talagang naniniwala tayo sa agimat,” Panisan claimed.
A total of 107 passengers have been apprehended from January to November 2015 for bullets inside their luggage at airports according PNP-AVSEGROUP records. Most of the alleged ‘laglag bala’ victims were overseas Filipinos workers (OFW), foreigners and even elderly travelers.
The police unit said 80% of arrested travelers admitted to using bullets as amulets.
These “laglag bala” cases has prompted calls for the resignation of Manila International Airport Authority General Manager. Several senators also called for an investigation and sacking of airport and transportation officials.
Meanwhile, Panisan advised the public to be more cautious in packing their luggage.
“Ang ma-advice ko lang sa ating mga kababayan ‘pag magbibiyahe po kayo i-ensure niyo po na kayo ‘yung magbabalot ng bagahe niyo. Tapos, specially sa atin, uso po ‘yung nanghihiram ng bag. May insidente na rin kami na ganyan na hiniram iyung bag yung kapatid niya military, may naiwan po na bala. Be sure na ‘pag nagbiyahe, tayo po talaga para masigurado natin na wala talagang bala,” Panisan said.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com