Alleged ‘tanim-bala’ scam victimizes a senior citizen

Manila—Another passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay, City has been caught with a bullet in her handbag on Sunday.

Nimfa Fontamillas, a 65 year-old grandmother was to board a plane to Singapore with her daughter, Menchu Tan, when airport authorities found a .9-mm bullet in her bag’s side pocket when it passed the x-ray scanner at 5:30 a.m.

Clint Estandarte, Fontamillas’ attorney latter arrived at the airport to represent his client. The Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group said in an interview with Manila Bulletin that they had to use a knife in order to open the bag’s pocket while Fontamillas and Estandarte were present.

“God knows that I am not at fault. How could I be bring a bullet, when we don’t have a gun in our house?” Fontamillas told Manila Bulletin in Filipino.

Tan said in the same report that she and her mother were flying to Singapore to see her 11-year-old son play football in the Singapore Singa Cup. “My son and his team left for Singapore via Philippine Airlines, while we booked on Tiger Airways,” she added.

Fontamilla was detained at the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group.

Duterte’s resolution

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, known for ruling Davao with an iron fist, said yesterday in his TV program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” that if the syndicate behind the ‘tanim-bala’ scam would be proven to have targeted innocent civilians in Davao, he would kill them. “If I’d become a president, you’ll be finished off. I will order your execution within 24 hours,” said Duterte.

“It’s incredible. Innocent people caught with .22 or 9-mm bullets? These people do not even own guns. They just travel to go home from abroad, or for vacation, or to attend meetings. You better stop it. I know that the PNP is conducting an investigation on this matter and I hope that it will really exonerate you,” Duterte added.

Duterte also called on the prosecutors in Davao city to investigate the case of Augusto Dagan, an engineer who was arrested when two bullets were found in his suitcase at the Davao International Airport.

“You better study the matter very carefully,” Duterte ordered Davao’s prosecutors.

Pacquiao gives legal assistance

Rep. Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani province who is also the vice-chairman of the House Committee on OFW Welfare promised to have his personal lawyer give legal aid to alleged victims of ‘tanim-bala’ at the NAIA.

“These activities are destroying the image of the country and the reputation of innocent victims,” Pacquiao said in the same report.