Lawmakers seek gun law review, OTS revamp

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto is calling for a review of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in the wake of the controversy surrounding “tanim-bala” incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, on the other hand, renewed yesterday his call for a top-to-bottom revamp of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) after a Japanese tourist and an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) reportedly fell prey to the extortion racket at the NAIA. 

Under the law, Recto noted that the penalty for illegal possession of ammunition is prision mayor, from six years and one day to 12 years.  The law also covers persons caught having even just one bullet in his or her possession. 

“One bullet or one truckful of bullets, pareho lang ang parusa (the punishment is the same). How can this be refined to accommodate gradations in the gravity of the offense to include a policy of reprimand if it is just one bullet? When it comes to tanim-bala, RA 10591 is the source of temptation,” the senator said.

Once the Senate resumes sessions next week, Recto said he will urge the proper committee to conduct hearings on the reported bullet-planting at the NAIA.  He filed a resolution a month ago, calling for a probe into the scams at the airport.

Recto is pushing for a Senate investigation because agencies operating at NAIA have failed to curb the abuses on their own. 

House probe

Gatchalian earlier filed House Resolution 2419, which directs the committees on good government and on transportation to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the series of extortion incidents at the NAIA.

“This is already becoming an international embarrassment. OTS personnel do not only shamelessly victimize our country’s modern-day heroes, they are also not afraid to prey on foreigners,” said Gatchalian, a senior vice chair of the House committee on tourism.

The latest victims include 56-year-old OFW Gloria Ortinez and Japanese tourist Kazunobu Sakamoto, 33. They were arrested, detained and charged for allegedly carrying bullets in their luggage last Sunday.

The racket has previously victimized a young American missionary and a wheelchair-bound balikbayan. 

Sakamoto was charged with illegal possession of live ammunition and have been released from detention after posting bail.

‘Tanim-bala’ hurting tourism

A congresswoman warned authorities yesterday that “tanim-bala” incidents at the NAIA are hurting the tourism industry.

“The allegations of tanim-bala as a means of extortion are gaining notoriety here and abroad, and are driving away tourists,” Rep. Carol Jane Lopez of party-list group You Against Corruption and Poverty said.

The Pasay City prosecutor’s office has ordered Ortinez’s release after determining that the bullet the airport police presented as evidence against her was different from the one shown in the photograph they had taken when they allegedly discovered the prohibited item. – With Paolo Romero, Jess Diaz