Senate opens probe on ‘tanim-bala scam’

Overseas Filipino worker Gloria Ortinez (center), victimized by the alleged “tanim-bala scam,” attends Senate probe. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net

The Senate opened on Thursday its investigation on the alleged proliferation of the “tanim-bala (bullet-planting) scam” in the country’s airports.

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At least four alleged victims of the scam—overseas Filipino worker Gloria Ortinez, American missionary Lane Michael White, Rufina Cruz, and Rowena Otic—were invited to the joint hearing of the Senate committee on public services being headed by its acting chair, Senator Sergio “Serge” Osmena III, and the Senate blue ribbon committee being headed by Senator Teofisto Guingona.

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Also invited as resource persons were Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and other transportation officials such as Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Honrado, Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Director Chief/Superintendent Pablo Francisco Balagtas, Office for Transportation Security Administratior Rolando Recomono, Manuel Antonio Eduarte, director of the National Bureau of Investigation Task Force on “Tanim-Bala,” among others.

At least eight resolutions have been filed at the Senate seeking an investigation on the scam.

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Among those who initiated the Senate probe include Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Francis Escudero, JV Ejercito, and Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile. RAM