NBI: Ranking execs may be tagged in tanim-bala

MANILA, Philippines – Senior officials and security personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may face charges in connection with the bullet-planting scam.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Virgilio Mendez yesterday revealed some ranking officers who were on duty when bullet-planting cases occurred could be charged.

The involvement of the officials was a trend the NBI saw in the course of its probe, he said.

The bullet-planting or tanim-bala extortion scheme involves NAIA security officials and personnel demanding money from a passenger in exchange for dropping criminal charges for possession of a bullet.

Public outrage prompted the NBI to step into the probe while airport authorities continued its investigation that led to the suspension and dismissal of some personnel from the Office of Transportation Security (OTS), the agency principally blamed for the irregularity.

Mendez said the NBI would recommend charging the officers involved in the scheme, and they are awaiting the go signal from the Department of Justice.

“Let’s just wait for the final disposition of the case by the Department (of Justice),” he said.

Mendez, however, said the NBI has not yet considered the possibility of a syndicate behind the tanim-bala scheme.

He said the scheme was seen as just an opportunity for some officials to extort money.

The NBI is set to submit its findings and recommendations before the DOJ today.