Couple held at NAIA over bullet in luggage

MANILA, Philippines - A couple bound for the United States was briefly held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 Monday night after a bullet was found in their luggage.

Cesar and Marlyn Caranto, natives of San Carlos, Pangasinan, initially denied owning the bullet found by Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel. 

The OTS personnel had the Carantos’ luggage scanned twice before conducting a manual inspection.

After one OTS personnel confirmed that a .22 caliber bullet was sewn into Marlyn’s shoulder bag, Marlyn shouted, saying that she forgot to take it out of her bag.

“My friend placed it there as an amulet against hexes when I went to San Carlos to collect taxes for the city hall,” she said.

The OTS personnel allowed the couple to board their flight after seizing the bullet and turning it over to the police Aviation Security Group.