Airport cop denies tanim-bala raps

MANILA, Philippines – A police officer tagged in the tanim-bala or bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday denied the charges filed against him by an American missionary before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Inspector Adriano Junio of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group belied the allegations hurled against him by Lane White, who was reportedly victimized by the extortion racket at the NAIA.

Junio submitted his counter-affidavit to Assistant Prosecutor Honey Rose Delgado during the preliminary hearing at the DOJ.

Charges of robbery, extortion and graft were filed against him by White and his stepmother, Eloisa Zoleta.

In his affidavit, Junio explained that the complainants misinterpreted his remarks during White’s arrest at the NAIA last year.

Junio admitted telling White and Zoleta that they would have to pay P30,000 for alleged bullet possession. But he claimed he did not extort money from them.