5 more NAIA cops, personnel deny tanim-bala raps

MANILA, Philippines – Five more airport policemen and personnel tagged in the tanim-bala or bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have denied the charges against them before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a preliminary investigation hearing yesterday afternoon, three members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) and two Office for Transportation Security (OTS) personnel appeared and belied the allegations in the complaint filed by Lane White, the 20-year-old American missionary reportedly victimized by the scheme last September, and his stepmother Eloisa Zoleta.

Senior Police Officer 4 Ramon Bernardo and SPO2s Romy Navarro and Rolando Clarin, all of PNP-ASG; and OTS personnel Marvin Garcia and Ma. Elma Cegna submitted their respective counter-affidavits before assistant prosecution attorney Honey Rose Delgado.

They were charged with robbery and extortion, graft and violating Republic Act 7438, which defines the rights of arrested persons.

They said the surveillance camera footage during White’s arrival, which was submitted to the prosecutor, showed no indication of the alleged bullet-planting scheme employed on the American missionary.

Delgado set another hearing on Feb. 1 for the complainants to submit their reply before the case is submitted for resolution.

Another respondent, Inspector Adriano Junio of PNP-ASG, appeared during a hearing on Jan. 8 and submitted his counter-affidavit.

He said the complainants “misinterpreted” his statements during White’s arrest.

Junio admitted telling White and Zoleta that they would have to pay P30,000, but stressed that this was for the fine for carrying a bullet at the airport. He claimed he did not extort money from the two.

Junio and the three other airport policemen are facing similar charges, while the two OTS respondents are also facing charges of liability for planting evidence under Article 5, Section 3 (b) of Republic Act 10591, the comprehensive firearms and ammunition regulation law.

White was arrested on Sept. 17, 2015 and detained for six days at the ASG detention cell. The Pasay City regional trial court later allowed him to post P40,000 bail.

Last month, the court dismissed the case against him and he left the country.