Bam Aquino to file ‘iwas tanim bala’ bill

SENATOR Bam Aquino now wants to decriminalize the acquisition, possession and carriage of three bullets or less in the country to eliminate the “tanim bala” (bullet-planting) scam in the country’s airports.

Aquino said he would file “iwas tanim bala” Bill after several outbound passengers have been apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after they were victimized by the “tanim bala” scam.

Among those arrested were a 65-year-old woman on her way to Singapore to watch her nephew play soccer, a 56-year-old domestic helper bound for Hong Kong and an 18-year-old choir member on her way to South Korean for a competition.

READ: Bullet found inside woman’s locked and sealed handbag at NAIA – report

“Activities that jeopardize the safety and security of the public are clearly unacceptable. We must build a secure, orderly, and just nation for our tourists, foreign and local investors, and most importantly, our own citizens,” Aquino said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Clearly, a scam that is unsupported of our efforts to raise government service standards for the Filipino people should be stopped immediately. As investigations have been ordered, it is also imperative to look at policy proposals and interventions that fully address the issue,” he said.

Aside from eliminating the “tanim-bala” scam, Aquino said his proposed measure also aims to make security efforts more efficient and to enable security stakeholders to focus on real and grave threats.

“Let us continue refining our policies into those that will truly serve our people, especially the common Filipino, and effectively continue the fight to eradicate lawlessness in the country,” said the senator.

Aquino said Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo, vice presidential bet of the Liberal Party, has filed the counterpart measure in the House of Representatives.