NAIA personnel face sanctions after lawmaker sneaks in with ammo

Two police officers and three x-ray machine attendants are now facing administrative charges for failing to detect ammunition and a pistol magazine stashed in the hand-carried luggage of a lawmaker at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last month.

The five, whose names are still being withheld pending further investigation, will be charged for negligence after they failed to notice the banned items inside the hand luggage of Laguna Rep. Danton Bueser during an initial security check at the NAIA Terminal 2 last Feb. 16.

The bullets and the clip were detected after Bueser’s bag went through the final security check. Bueser, who was supposed to board his flight to the US, claimed NAIA’s x-ray machines were defective.

He denied owning the 20 pieces of .380-caliber ammunition and an empty pistol magazine and said they might have been planted.

After initial investigation, Bueser was released to the custody of Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, who vowed to surrender Bueser once airport authorities file the necessary charges against the Laguna congressman.

Pichay said Bueser is innocent and should not be confined at the NAIA security until the investigation is completed and he is charged.The two police officers and the three x-ray machine operators, on the other hand, face possible suspension, demotion, or dismissal from the service, depending on the final result of the investigation, airport officials said.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assistant general manager for security and emergency services Angel Atutubo vouched for the x-ray machines.

He said the machines turned out fine after they were tested immediately following the claims made by Bueser that they were defective.

Bueser could be charged with violating Republic Act 8294, which covers illegal and unlawful possession, manufacture, acquisition and disposition of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

The airport police have deferred the filing of charges against Bueser, noting that the Laguna lawmaker, being a member of Congress, enjoys immunity from suit if the penalty is less than six to 12 years in prison.