The term "tanim-bala" was coined, meaning, the act of planting bullets in the luggage and bags. Others wearing or putting bullets in their bags as necklace pendants or as key chains.
Speaking of the infamous bullet-planting controversy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Pres. Aquino said, he doubted an organized "tanim-bala" extortion scheme existed.
Numerous passengers have been complaining in the recent weeks of being framed for possession of live ammunition in their luggage and bags in various Philippine Airport. Among the victims, a returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was stopped from her flight to Hong Kong after a bullet was found in her luggage at the NAIA. Not a first time she denies that she is the owner of the bullet. She said that she is very much aware of how strict Hong Kong Airport authorities are. Not only her as the victim of this scam but also the stepson of Eloisa Zoleta which is Lane Micheal White. Lane Micheal White reported that he was a victim by this illegal scam last September 2015 at the NAIA. They found a 22 caliber bullet in the luggage of White when it went to the X-ray scanner at NAIA terminal 4 on his way to Palawan.
The source also disclosed that the tanim-bala modus operandi is already an open secret activity of some airport security screeners. The scam was first exposed in the media when a Facebook post of a balikbayan who claimed to have been victimized by the tanim-bala scam that went viral. Also an American tourist was detained after a bullet was found in the pocket of his luggage. He also claimed being victimized by the same scam.
And because of that scam, Joseph Plazo shared his tips as a lawyer on how we can protect our luggage and how we can practice our legal rights if we become a victim of that scam. There are five ways to avoid being a victim of tanim-bala scam. First, use hard-case luggage, avoid bags that have external pockets. Second, wrap the entire bag in cling wrap. Third, let the officials go through your bag but only in the presence of witnesses, a lawyer and official's supervisors. Fourth, you have the right to remain silent. And last, know your legal rights. By those ways we can avoid that scam safely.
Many people cover their bags before they went to the X-ray scanner to make sure that they don't have bullet/s in their bags or luggage. People get frightened because of this modus operandi. They never know how to solve this problem. It should be enough to make us feel afraid or frightened to be a victim of this scam? How about the poor people that already experienced this? It leaves unforgettable memories in the people who are the victims of this modus operandi. We want to say to the people who's involve in this illegal case to stop victimizing their fellowmen. Be honest in all your actions and words.
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