NBI gets list of ‘tanim’ suspects

The National Bureau Investigation (NBI) has secured a list of persons charged in court for allegedly yielding bullets inside their luggage when they passed through a security check in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In a text message, the NBI agent, who declined to be named, said that the Pasay City Prosecutors Office has given them a list of those who were charged in court for carrying live ammunition in the airport.

“We will be interviewing all of those who are in the list to give us an idea who to investigate or who is behind this syndicate,” said the source.

“Lahat ng pinakasuhan, lalo na ’yung mga nasa probinsya ay pupuntahan namin para makunan sila ng statement,” he explained

He said they were only given 15 days before they submit an initial report to Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

“The entire NBI-AOTCD (AntiOrganized Transnational Crime Division) is already working into it because we have a deadline to beat,” the source said.

Last Thursday, The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday refuted a report that the bureau has already confirmed the existence of a syndicate responsible for the “tanim-bala” scheme.

Speaking to reporters, NBI - Anti-Organized Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD) and NBI Task Force Talaba (Tanim, Laglag Bala) leader head agent Manuel Antonio Eduarte said that it is early for the NBI to confirm or conclude the existence of such extortion syndicate.

He added that it will take investigators more than two days or even weeks to prove the existence of the syndicate.

“As far as I and my office is concerned walang pronouncement na ganun (on the existence of a syndicate in NAIA). Initial stage pa lang ng investigation so how can I come out na ganun na pronouncements?” he said.

The NBI official appealed to all victims of the alleged extortion scheme to come forward to expedite their probe and the possible filing of charges against those behind it.