Airport security screeners wear pink armbands during a Mass at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday. The security screeners appeal for public understanding while investigation of the “tanim-bala” scam is underway. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The National Bureau of Investigation has submitted to the Department of Justice its probe results on the “tanim/laglag bala” (TaLaBa) scheme.
Department of Justice spokesman and Undersecretary Emmanuel Caparas on Wednesday said that Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa still has to go over the report before releasing it to the media.
“The report has just been submitted by the NBI. Kindly give Sec Caguioa time to read and study it,” Caparas said in a text message to reporters.
The report was due today, Wednesday, after the NBI was given a 15-working day extension. The bureau was supposed to hand over its findings to the DOJ on November 18, but it requested an extension as it was still interviewing concerned individuals on the matter at the time.
Caparas said that he would be discussing with the media updates on the submission of the NBI report during his regular briefing on Thursday.
Caguioa formed the task force after travellers, including an American tourist, alleged that they were held by authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after live bullets were allegedly found in their hand carried luggage.
The travelers denied the bullets belong to them.
The family of American tourist Lane Michael White claimed that airport personnel attempted to extort P30,000 from them in exchange for the non-filing of charges.
In his department order, Caguioa instructed the NBI to “similarly undertake a case build-up on the possible criminal and/or administrative liabilities of all individuals and agencies involved, whether public or private.”
He directed the NBI to coordinate with government agencies before reviewing and evaluating documents, videos and audio recordings related to the TaLaBa scheme.
The NBI was tasked to interview “in any manner or degree” all individuals, including government officials who were found to have been directly involved in the scheme.
Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, meanwhile, assured that the government will file charges based on the NBI’s findings.
“Hinihintay po naming lumabas yan at kung sino man ang nakitang dapat kasuhan, yun ang dapat kasuhan,” he told reporters after emerging from a Senate hearing.
“Kaya nga natin ipinasok ang NBI para hindi masabi na niluluto lang it ng DOTC so we wanted an independent, impartial, fair, third party to investigate itong incidents ng tanim bala sa airport,” he added. (MNS)