11318198 POLLRES A51

Jeremiah M. Nalupta II Dr. Eric Batalla

The Bullets at NAIA

Facts of the Case:

- Tanim-Bala is an alleged extortion racket, possibly managed by a syndicate,

whereas it tries to victimize travellers most likely from, but not limited to,
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) also from the Senior Citizens sector.
- The Aviation Security Group (AvSecGroup) says 30 cases have already been
recorded, regarding the Tanim-Bala incidents, from January to early November
this year. 6
- Workers holding lowly jobs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are
being foreseen to be suspects in this scam, some assumptions say that they have
been reaping the bitter fruits of the tanim-bala scheme to gain additional income
if they cooperate with those who run this racket.2
- There are reported cases of the tanim-bala stating that this phenomenon does
not only happen in NAIA and in international flights, but also to other domestic
flights and airports such as the Davao International Airport (DIA) and Laoag
International Airport to name a few.3
- The tanim-bala racket is not new because the past years this scheme is already
being used, not only that rampant. In 2013, only 21 cases were recorded. It
dropped in 2014, when only 12 cases were recorded, but spiked in 2015 30
cases have been recorded from January to early November.4
- PNOY and the Malacanang Palace released a statement regarding this
phenomenon, in which they asserted the public to not be afraid and that it is still
safe in NAIA. Malacaang on Saturday vowed to make travelers feel safe again at
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) after President Benigno Aquino III
ordered an investigation into the tanim bala racket.5
- Department of Justice (DOJ) created an investigation to probe into these tanim-
bala cases, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Task Force is ordered
to evaluate all documents including video and audio recordings; conduct
intreviews with all individuals involved and execute sworn affidavits.6

1. Francisco, K. (2015). TIMELINE: Recent cases of alleged bullet scam at NAIA. Manila: Rappler.
Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/nation/111475-naia-bullet-planting-scheme-victims
2. Andrade, J. (2015). Lowly airport workers reap bitter fruits of tanim-bala scam. Manila:
Inquirer. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/737359/lowly-airport-workers-reap-bitter-
fruits-of-tanim-bala-scam
3. Casaruyan, M., & Namit, M. (2015). PNoy acts on NAIA tanim-bala scandal. Manila: Manila
Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.mb.com.ph/pnoy-acts-on-naia-tanim-bala-scandal/
4. Cupin, B. (2015). Airport police involved in bullet scam? 'Impossible,' says PNP. Manila: Rappler.
Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/nation/111487-pnp-avitation-security-group-tanim-bala
5. Dizon, N. (2015). Aquino orders probe of tanim bala racket amid outcry. Manila: Inquirer.
Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/736010/aquino-orders-probe-of-tanim-bala-racket-
amid-outcry#ixzz3qtmmOzB0
6. Torres-Tupas, T. (2015). DOJ creates task force to probe Tanim-Bala scam at Naia. Manila:
Inquirer. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/736856/nbi-creates-task-force-to-probe-
tanim-bala-scam-at-naia#ixzz3quE7xX3Q
11318198 POLLRES A51
Jeremiah M. Nalupta II Dr. Eric Batalla
Problem of the Case:

One of the significant problems in this case and is needed to be addressed to is

evidently where does these bullets come from and who are the ones who execute this
cause, it is believed that this modus-operandi is being performed by a syndicate and that
they are colluding with personnels from NAIA.7
Another pressing issue is that, of all the travellers that could be deceived why is
that a large part of the victims are either from the OFW or the Senior Citizen Sector? 8 It
is very alarming that they prey on these vulnerable individuals so that they could extort
and harass them to for their personal gain.
Considering that this problem is under the jurisdiction of NAIA9, though
administration could step in, what are their solutions to eradicate this problem? Are they
condoning or tolerating what their workforces are doing? There should be stiffer
implementation of the policies by the governing body of NAIA to make them trustworthy
and credible. Lastly, speaking about how the administration is able to step into this
problem, what policy or procedure would their lawmakers10 propose in order to eliminate
the tanim-bala scam once and for all? This problem if not handled properly could put a
stigma towards our administration and although PNOYs term is on its homestretch
phase, it could still leave a mark on to his regime - also this issue could be passed to the
next in line - and how he makes decisions as head of the state.

Major Questions/Identification of the Problem:

- Where are these bullets coming from?

- Who are the ones executing this phenomenon? Is there a syndicate group behind
this?
- Why are the OFW and Senior Citizen sector targeted by this crime?
- What action will the administration or lawmakers create to eradicate this
phenomenon?

7. Torres-Tupas, T. (2015). DOJ creates task force to probe Tanim-Bala scam at Naia. Manila:
Inquirer. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/736856/nbi-creates-task-force-to-probe-
tanim-bala-scam-at-naia#ixzz3quE7xX3Q
8. Carvajal, N. (2015). Naia syndicate confirmed. Manila: Inquirer. Retrieved from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/737013/naia-syndicate-confirmed
9. Carvajal, N. (2015). Naia syndicate confirmed. Manila: Inquirer. Retrieved from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/737013/naia-syndicate-confirmed
10. Frialde, M. (2015). Cayetano calls on airport execs to neutralize 'tanim-bala' ring. Manila: Phil
Star. Retrieved from http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/30/1516594/cayetano-calls-
airport-execs-neutralize-tanim-bala-ring
11. Padilla, K. (2015). Lawmakers call for probe on tanim bala scam at NAIA. Manila: Philippine
Canadian Inquirer. Retrieved from http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2015/10/29/lawmakers-call-
for-probe-on-tanim-bala-scam-at-naia/