A Japanese tourist was arrested in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after bullets were found in his luggage. The tourist denied ownership of the bullets and may be the newest victim of the “tanim-bala” modus.
The 33-year-old Kazunobu Sakamoto was on his way back to Japan through NAIA’s Terminal 2. He underwent the airport’s initial security screening at 5:00p.m. on Sunday, but personnel from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) found two 9mm bullets in his baggage.
He was promptly arrested by the members of the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP).
The resident of Meguro, Tokyo was intercepted at the initial X-ray screening checkpoint by the OTS personnel. When the machine detected something suspicious, his baggage immediately underwent manual inspection by the OTS personnel.
The two bullets were found in the right side pocket of his baggage, allegedly concealed in the white long sleeve of an upper garment.
Sakamoto was charged before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office for violations of illegal possession of live ammunition.
The PNP-AVSEGROUP detained him in the AVSEU-NCR after he failed to post pail for his temporary liberty.
Sakamoto’s arrest came at a time when the issue regarding the “tanim-bala” modus is close to dying. It’s unknown whether Sakamoto is a victim of said modus.
