Escudero: Timing, frequency of ‘tanim-bala’ ‘questionable’

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

While there are some people who believe that bullets are amulets, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the timing and frequency of such incidents are “questionable.”

“Ano iyon, biglang andami na lang nakaisip na magdala ng bala sa maleta nila? Ngayon, habang malapit na ang Pasko?” Escudero said in a statement on Tuesday amid continued reports of the “tanim-bala (bullet-planting)” modus operandi in the country’s airports.

(What is it? All of a sudden, too many people thought of carrying bullets in their suitcases? Now that the Christmas nears.)

The senator warned that this modus operandi, if unstopped, could reverse the government’s gains in tourism and make a complete mockery of the popular “More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

“Three of our islands have just been recognized as among the 10 best in the world, but who would want to come here if they can’t even get out of the airports without being victimized by unscrupulous and seemingly unstoppable syndicates?” he said.

He said the increasing incidents of “tanim-bala” or “laglag-bala” in Manila threaten to overturn the momentum of the successful “More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

“The crooks behind this ‘tanim-bala’ are not just planting bullets, they are sowing a sense of insecurity among travelers that will be difficult to address later on,” Escudero said.

“The government has to end this ‘tanim-bala’ scheme now or we will lose our advantage as an emerging travel destination,” the senator added.

The senator pointed out that from 4.27 million in 2012, the number of visitors in the country raised to 4.83 million in 2014, with the biggest number—461,383 and 487,654—arriving in January and December, respectively.

“We expect a deluge of balikbayans soon. Are we going to put all of them through this Russian roulette of ‘laglag-bala’ in NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)?” he asked.

Escudero said he would not be surprised if the modus operandi that plagues Manila now would soon happen in other international airports in the country.

According to the Department of Tourism, international arrivals by air reached 473,841 in August; arrivals by sea were registered at only 6,848 visitors. Sixty-one percent of those arrivals entered through Manila airports. Cebu and Kalibo had the next biggest share of international arrivals.

Last week, a 60-year-old engineer who was flying to Manila from Davao was found in possession of two bullets at the Davao International Airport. Like most of the victims, he said he did not know how the bullets got into his luggage but he was charged nonetheless for illegal possession of ammunition. He was released after posting a P150,000 bail.

“Not everyone can come up with that amount. In fact, nobody should ever have to raise bail money for a crime he did not commit,” Escudero said. RAM

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