NBI to release report on ‘tanim-bala scam’

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MANILA—The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will release a report of the agency’s investigation on the alleged bullet planting scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The NBI formed a task force group called Talaba (Tanim Laglag Bala) whose task was to investigate whether or not a syndicate victimizing airport passenger is indeed operating at NAIA.

“The report by the NBI task force Talaba will be released on Dec. 9, if not earlier,” Justice Undersecretary Emmanuel Caparas told the Manila Bulletin.

The task force, headed by Anti- Organized Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD) chief Head Agent Manuel Antonio Eduarte was originally given a deadline of Nov. 18 but failed to submit their findings on time as the data they received from different government agencies were conflicting. They, along with other agencies, were also sidetracked due to the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Summit in Manila.

The Department of Justice who directed the agency “to probe all incidents of the alleged “laglag-bala”” gave them a 15 days extension of deadline.

The investigation conducted by the NBI included the testing of x-ray machines used onluggages. The agency had their agents play as a “mules” who were able to pass through the whole security process without being caught of carrying bullets in their luggages.

The alleged tanim bala scam has victimized numerous airline passengers, composed mostly of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Eduarte said that the NBI has coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

“We have also coordinated with the Labor department as well as OWWA and the POEA. They are also extending assistance to locate possible victims and they would forward the complaints to us,” Eduarte said in the same report.