NAIA Terminal 2 (File photo courtesy of MIAA)
MANILA – A male passenger carrying ammunition was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 Friday.
The 11 pieces of caliber .22 ammunition were discovered in his luggage during the screening process.
Philippine National Police Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) - National Capital Region chief Col. Arnel Apud said there is no rule that bullets would just be seized.
"Kung isa or dalawa pwede pa palampasin, pero depende 'yun sa result ng mga pagtatanong ng investigators (We could let it slide if it was just one or two pieces, but that would still depend on the result of the investigators' questioning)," Apud said in an interview.
During the previous administration, authorities would seize bullets found in passengers’ bags and then let them go on with their flights.
The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) screening personnel would record the incident and turn over the ammunition to the AVSEU for disposition if charges should be filed against the passenger.
In an interview, OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez said when the X-ray detects ammunition, the personnel will confirm from the passenger if the bag belongs to him. This will then be subjected to manual inspection.
"We have a 'show hands' policy before and after opening a bag so the passenger would see that the screener holds nothing before and after the inspection," Marquez said.
OTS personnel will record the incident and turn over the seized ammunition to the AVSEU.
Marquez also noted that manual inspections are witnessed by an OTS supervisor, the passenger, AVSEU personnel, and an airline representative.
Apud said the passenger is under AVSEU's custody at Terminal 2. (PNA)
