AGIMAT Party-list Congressman Bryan Revillahas has urged the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) to implement a “confiscate-and-go” policy for airline passengers found with stray or undeclared ammunition—citing growing concerns over the possible revival of the notorious “tanim bala” scheme at the country’s airports.
Revilla said recent reports and social media posts suggest a troubling pattern similar to past “tanim bala” incidents, where passengers—many of them overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)— allegedly yielded bullets in their luggage.
“May mga palatandaan na tila muling sumusulpot ang tanim bala modus. Hindi na natin dapat hayaang maulit pa ang kahihiyan na dulot nito noon sa ating pamahalaan. Kailangang maagap ang aksyon para maprotektahan ang mga inosenteng pasahero,” Revilla said.
Revilla proposed that in cases where a small amount of ammunition is found during routine inspection, OTS officers should simply confiscate the item and allow the passenger to proceed—as long as the following conditions are met:
1. The passenger is not carrying a firearm.
2. There is no evidence of malicious intent or security threat.
3. Only one to three pieces of ammunition are discovered, consistent with accidental or unintentional possession.
4. The passenger voluntarily surrenders the item and cooperates fully with authorities.
“This confiscate-and-go approach removes the opportunity for abuse while preserving the integrity of airport security. It’s a simple reform that can prevent unnecessary arrests, delays, and extortion,” Revilla explained.
The lawmaker emphasized that this policy would not apply to those found with larger quantities of ammunition or other items suggesting intent to cause harm, smuggle weapons, or violate the law.
Revilla called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and OTS to take the issue seriously and act swiftly to prevent another wave of tanim bala cases from undermining public trust in the country’s airports.
“Security should never be used as a tool for extortion. By adopting this common-sense policy, we can protect travelers—especially OFWs—and close the door on abuse,” Revilla added.
