Purge following ‘tanim-bala’ incident at NAIA pushed
SENATE President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero called for a full-scale purge of corrupt personnel in the country’s airports following the dismissal of three Office of Transportation Security (OTS) employees allegedly involved in a recent “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Escudero emphasized that the removal of erring security personnel should pave the way for broader reforms to enhance the Philippines’ global image and improve passenger experiences at the country’s main gateway.
“We have this window of opportunity to implement long-term initiatives that will transform the country’s image and enhance the experience of visitors and domestic travelers the moment they land and when they depart to their destinations. This is long overdue,” he said.
He commended Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon for swiftly acting on the matter and pointed out that with a new transportation chief in place and airport operations now privatized under the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), systemic changes should be implemented to prevent similar incidents.
Escudero, a proponent of passenger rights protection, also recalled that he had pushed for a special provision in the 2024 General Appropriations Act mandating reimbursement for travelers who miss their flights due to excessive or unnecessary questioning by immigration personnel.
The compensation would come from the Bureau of Immigration’s unutilized funds.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also welcomed the swift action against the OTS personnel, stressing the importance of collective efforts in combating corruption.
“Mapipigilan natin ang mga masasamang gawain na kagaya ng tanim-bala kung tulong-tulong ang lahat na isiwalat ang iba’t ibang uri ng korapsyon sa ating bansa,” Gatchalian said.
He underscored the need for stricter measures to ensure that airports remain safe, efficient, and free from extortion schemes that inconvenience passengers and harm the country’s reputation.
The “tanim-bala” scheme resurfaced after a 69-year-old woman accused NAIA Terminal 3 security personnel of attempting to victimize her on March 6. She recounted that while at the boarding gate, OTS officers claimed an X-ray scan detected a bullet shell in her handbag. The officers reportedly tried to take her to their office, but after she and her family started recording the encounter, they withdrew without finding any bullet in her belongings.
In response, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a full investigation, reiterating that such practices would not be tolerated and that those responsible must be held accountable. Secretary Dizon, meanwhile, assured the public that security protocols at NAIA would be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), now handling airport operations, is working with OTS to strengthen security measures, reinforce transparency in screening procedures, and ensure that passengers are not subjected to extortion attempts.
The renewed attention on “tanim-bala” has prompted calls for vigilance and lasting reforms to protect travelers and uphold the country’s international reputation.
