DOJ starts probe on ‘tanim bala’

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday started the preliminary investigation of six airport personnel tagged in a bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Two of the respondents, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel Marvin Garcia and Ma. Elma Cegna, appeared in the hearing at 2 p.m. before investigating prosecutor Honey Rose Delgado.

The other respondents, Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) operatives Police Insp. Adriano Junio, SPO4 Ramon Bernardo and SPO2 Romy Navarro and Rolando Clarin, did not appear and instead sent their lawyers.

All respondents asked for more time to answer the allegations in the complaint filed by Lane White, the American missionary reportedly victimized by the scheme last September, and his stepmother Eloisa Zoleta.

They wanted to have copies of the evidence gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), including CCTV footage, before they would submit their respective counter-affidavits.

The prosecutor gave them until Jan. 8 next year to answer the charges.

Garcia and Cegna were charged for planting evidence under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act.

On the other hand, the police officers were charged with robbery and extortion and violation of Republic Act 7438 or the Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or under Custodial Investigation and Duties of the Arresting, Detaining or Investigating Officers. They were also charged with graft.

White was arrested last Sept. 17 and charged with possession of a .22 caliber bullet, which was supposedly detected when his baggage went through the x-ray scanner at the NAIA.

White said his refusal to cough up P30,000 allegedly demanded by OTS personnel in exchange for his release led to his detention for six days at the PNP-ASG and the filing of charges against him for violation of RA 10591 before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The Pasay court allowed White to post bail of P40,000.

The court has dismissed the case against White, who left the country last week.