Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Senator Raffy Tulfo conducted an ocular inspection of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) following an alleged “tanim bala” (malicious planting of a bullet inside a luggage) incident at the airport recently.
Tulfo personally spoke with MCIA General Manager and CEO Julius Neri Jr. to clarify the said allegation at the airport which involved a 47-year-old female passenger who was reportedly found with four bullets in her luggage during the security screening X-ray.
“All security protocols were followed when intercepting items.”
The legislator shared that Neri belied the claim, as the latter assured that all security protocols were followed when intercepting items — such as bag searches, holding the passenger, and processing the case — during the incident.
The lawmaker added that according to Neri, the woman did not deny ownership of the bullets found in her bag and did not accuse any Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel of extorting money from her regarding the incident. In fact, He said there were also CCTV cameras focused on the X-ray area, and upon reviewing the footage, no irregularities were found.
Furthermore, the senator said that Neri stressed out that in such incidents, it is mandatory for OTS personnel and members of the PNP AVSEU to record a video while inspecting a bag in the presence of its owner.
Notably, Tulfo first inspected the X-ray scanning area at MCIA, where the airport screening officers showed the actual process of how they screen passengers’ luggage.
They also conducted a demonstration in which his Senate staff member had three bullets placed in a bag and then placed it into the X-ray machine. Here, Tulfo saw how the bullets showed up on the screen and how the baggage containing the contraband was automatically separated from the rest on the conveyor belt.
The airport screening officers also showed Tulfo the step-by-step process of how they respond whenever a passenger is caught with contraband such as bullets.
Before opening the passenger’s bag, the OTS employee immediately called a member of the PNP Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) to witness the search, which is also recorded on video. The passenger is then asked for permission to open their luggage.
Tulfo also saw the CCTV cameras focused on the X-ray scanning area, which, according to Neri, are important as evidence and also provide protection for the passenger.
Tulfo likewise visited the sorting area for checked-in baggage to observe how these bags are screened for any prohibited items inside.
“There are three levels of security checks.”
Jemar Nietes, the Terminal Operations Head of MCIA, explained that there are three levels of security checks. If contraband is confirmed, the baggage will be handed over to an OTS officer for a physical inspection along with the baggage owner.
Likewise, Tulfo inspected the taxi bays at MCIA, where standard taxi rates are posted at the booths, and passengers are provided with a slip that contains the name of the taxi operator, driver, and the vehicle’s plate number.
Tulfo praised the best practices he observed at MCIA, especially in terms of airport security and passenger safety and convenience. He mentioned that he would suggest implementing these practices at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
