Gov't warns overseas Filipinos from bringing arms

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government today warmed Filipino travelers against carrying devices and other articles which are classified as "arms" by domestic laws in their countries of destination or transit.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the warning after a recent surge in arrests of Filipino nationals who have been found carrying such devices while traveling in or transiting India and Hong Kong, China.

In India, a Filipino national was recently apprehended for carrying ammunition in a checked-in luggage while on a stop-over in Mumbai, the department said. The Filipino national is now facing criminal charges under the Indian Arms Act. Violations of the Indian Arms Act could fetch a minimum penalty of four-year imprisonment.

The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi stressed that any person caught carrying such articles without the necessary licenses shall not be absolved or acquitted of the charges by way of explaining the articles' use as talismans, amulets or charms.

In Hong Kong, the Philippine Consulate reported that 14 Filipino nationals were arrested in violation of the Firearms and Ammunitions Ordinance in the first quarter of this year, the DFA said.

According to the DFA, investigations by Hong Kong police revealed that the Filipino nationals had purchased those devices in places prior to their travel to Hong Kong and were either en route to the territory or were transiting through the city's international airport.

"As a general rule, all hand-carried and checked-in luggage, including those of transiting passengers, are subjected to security screening in airport terminals. Any of the prohibited devices or articles found in a luggage can be used as grounds to arrest the person in possession of such devices or articles," the DFA said.