The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said a 36-year-old woman bound for Bacolod was arrested by the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group recently after her baggage yielded a box containing 50 pieces of suspected live ammunition of a caliber 38mm while undergoing standard security screening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4.
OTS security screening officer Razel Santonia was conducting x-ray screening of baggage when she noticed an unusual image resembling a prohibited item.
The baggage was inspected in the presence of the passenger, whose identity was withheld by the OTS, and law enforcement officers, following standard operating procedures.
The police on duty asked for corresponding documents but the passenger failed to provide these so she was arrested for violating Republic Act No. 10592, or the Revised Penal Code, the OTS said in a statement.
“While few pieces of ammunition which are brought without malicious intent will be simply confiscated and recorded, passengers who illegally transport and carry undocumented ammunition will be dealt with the full extent of the law,” it added.
The OTS and other airport authorities remind the public to check for items prohibited at the airport before their scheduled travel to avoid any inconvenience. ||
