Laguna lawmaker faces gun raps

Two months after he was caught carrying bullets in his bag at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), police have finally decided to file criminal charges against Laguna Rep. Danton Bueser.

Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) chief Senior Superintendent Atilano Morada said the case will be filed before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office today.

Morada said illegal possession of ammunition charges will be filed against Bueser, who cannot claim immunity from suit.

"Congress was not in session at that time and the incident did not happen in Congress at all," he told The STAR in an interview.

Morada said the PNP-ASG’s legal team recommended the filing of charges after studying the incident and looking into Bueser’s possible immunity from lawsuits due to his post as a congressman.

Last Feb. 16, Bueser was barred from taking a flight to the United States for carrying bullets inside his bag. He blamed NAIA’s X-ray machines and claimed he was being framed.

Bueser, who denied owning the prohibited items, was arrested but later released to the custody of Surigao del Sur Rep. and senatorial candidate Prospero Pichay.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assistant general manager for security and emergency services Angel Atutubo said there is nothing wrong with NAIA’s X-ray machines and even tested the equipment to prove his claim days after the incident took place.

Two police officers and three X-ray machine attendants are now facing administrative charges for failing to detect the live ammunition Bueser was carrying on the initial and second X-ray checks. – Michael Punongbayan