Duterte and the MCIA “tanim bala” anomaly                

This is in connection with my column last week, titled “Why OFWs love Duterte” where I mentioned former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s (FPRRD) political will in stopping the planting of bullets (tanim bala) modus operandi at our airports as one of the reasons. This anomaly became widespread during the term of the late president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

The same issue helped make FPRRD popular even before he decided to run for president. People appreciated him when he promised to put an end to this anomaly. He told to those responsible for the “tanim bala” scheme, “I don’t have the ambition to become the president, but if I am the president, I will let you swallow those bullets even if it means death.”

True enough, when he became president, he stopped the scandal. He simply prohibited authorities from arresting passengers for having bullets in their luggage. He ordered that travelers would not be detained or charged in court if ammunition was confiscated from them. Instead, they would just undergo profiling to clear them of any links to criminal groups, but they would be allowed to immediately board their flight.

Thus, the modus operandi of planting bullets in passengers’ bags to compel them to settle by paying security personnel in exchange for their freedom was finally stopped. No more airport robberies. Filipinos, especially OFWs, felt protected during FPRRD’s watch.

But now, this problem is back. For the month of March alone, there were three incidents in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), one at Clark International Airport, and the latest incident occurred here at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The incident involved a 47-year-old female passenger whose hand-carry baggage was allegedly found to contain four bullets. The woman, an HR manager of a certain company, was bound for Tacloban City, Leyte.

She was not allowed to fly and was arrested for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Fire Arms and Ammunition, and violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban. She has been detained since March 27, 2025 and was only released from jail after posting bail on March 31, 2025.

During my Straight to the Point radio program, aired over dyHP RMN Cebu, I interviewed MCIA assistant general manager Glenn Napuli, MCIA terminal operations manager Jomer Nietes, and chief of Office for Transportation Security Leizel Mondejar. They all denied that “tanim bala” existed at MCIA. Prior to this, Julius Neri Jr., the general manager of MCIA, had already issued a statement vehemently denying the same.

However, people inevitably ask at least the following questions: Does a person in her right mind bring bullets in the airports knowing that there are X-ray machines? Does a frequent traveler, like the HR manager, who knows that even mineral water over 100ml, nail cutters, lighters, etc., are not allowed, bring bullets? For what reason? Is she that stupid? Does she even know how to use a firearm? Would it not run counter to human behavior? Can people be blamed if they suspect a “tanim bala” anomaly at MCIA?

Why was this problem easily solved by FPRRD during his watch? Why can’t the present administration address the same issue? FPRRD’s solution might not have been noticed by some, but it was crystal clear to many Filipinos, especially the OFWs, who frequently use our airports.

So, you ask why there are so-called Duterte blind followers. Or are they not blind at all to his sincere love and protection he gave to his countrymen?