Press Release
April 27, 2016

BONGBONG MARCOS DEPLORES DOJ CHIEF CLAIM "TANIM BALA"
IS SMEAR PLOT VS GOVT

Vice Presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today chided acting Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas for his curt dismissal of the latest "tanim bala" incident by saying it is a possible smear plot against the government.

Marcos noted that while the DoJ has yet to complete its investigation of the alleged "tanim bala" incident, Caparas has practically prejudged the case with his statement.

"By conveniently dismissing this latest incident of 'tanim bala' as a smear campaign against the government, the Justice Secretary has, wittingly or unwittingly, bound the hands of the prosecutors who would investigate the case," Marcos deplored.

He said Caparas should at least have waited for the facts of the case to be established before making any comment on the incident.

Salvacion Cortabista and her husband, Esteban, 78, were barred from boarding their California-bound flight on April 19 after NAIA screeners found a live bullet inside the couple's hand-held luggage.

The couple denied owning the bullet. Public Attorney's Office Chief Persida Rueda Acosta said a witness will come out to support the claim of the couple.

"The reports on the details of the incident are enough to cast doubt on the allegations against the Cortabista couple," Marcos emphasized.

Marcos noted a report that the wife is a former airport employee and so she is well aware of the stringent security procedures there. Curiously, nothing illegal was detected when the couple's belongings went through an X-ray examination at the initial security check area.

"This incident not only brought humiliation to this couple but also prevented them from seeking medical treatment abroad. They deserve justice and the least the DoJ Secretary can do for them is to observe impartiality," Marcos asserted

Following a Senate investigation into the "tanim bala" incident, Marcos has called for the resignation of Manila International Airport (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado for failing to stop the proliferation of the extortion racket in the airports.

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