A passenger bound for a popular vacation island was held in a Philippine airport for carrying a firearm as well as 16 rounds of ammunition and two magazine cartridges in his baggage.

According to a Manila Times report, a handgun was seized from Caticlan-bound Silvestre Mendoza Roque (52) who claimed that he forgot to remove his 45-calibre firearm from his baggage. The handgun was also retrieved alongside 16 rounds of 45 calibre ammunition as well as two magazines.

Roque was later turned over to airport security where it was revealed that his firearm license had expired and he had no permit to carry (PTC).

This is not the first time that Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has apprehended passengers carrying ammunition. Several travellers have been intercepted by airport staff for carrying arms earlier too. Many of those caught claim that they keep a bullet as some sort of amulet to "ward off evil".

Some time back, the main Philippine airport was rife with a scam locally called tanim bala (or bullet planting) wherein airport security allegedly plant bullets on unsuspecting travellers' bags and implicate them with the offence of carrying illegal objects. This then sets up the scene where the staff allegedly extorts money from the unsuspecting traveller. The scandal caused uproar especially among travellers - both Filipinos and foreigners. No such cases have been reported so far under the current presidency.

According to a report in the Filipino Times, Roque was allowed to travel after showing proper documents.

Source: Khaleej Times