US citizen accosted with hand grenade at NAIA T1

From InterAksyon (May 28): US citizen accosted with hand grenade at NAIA T1

A departing passenger bound for Taipei was intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 by the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group under Chief Supt. Pablo Francisco Balagtas after an MK2 serviceable fragmentation grenade and a kitchen knife were found in his backpack.

According to Balagtas, the interception at 7:20 a.m. last May 26 at X-Ray No. 3 of the initial screening checkpoint at T1's departure area was made in cooperation with the security screening officer of the Office of Transport Security and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), particularly through the office of NAIA-Airport Police Division chief Supt. Joey Tecson and in line with the implementation of strict security procedures.

Supt. Ricardo Layug, head of the Aviation Security Unit-National Capital Region, said the passenger was identified as Cipriano De Guzman, a US citizen. He was about to board flight CI702 bound for Taipei when nabbed.

Layug said personnel from the PNP-AVSEGROUP's K9-explosives ordnance division conducted a 'render safe procedure' and confirmed that one of the items monitored in De Guzman's backpack was a fragmentation grenade.

The grenade and the knife, he said, were monitored by SSO Nolasco Abanco, duty X-Ray operator at X-Ray No. 3. Baggage inspector Enrique Cruz and SPO4 Ericson Engcoy and PO2 Wilfredo Ferrer of K9-EOD confirmed that the item was a hand grenade.  

Tecson said De Guzman was turned over to office of Layug for proper disposition while the items were placed in the custody of PO2 Ferrer.    

It was learned from Layug that the passenger was charged with violation of Sec 1 of R.A. 9516 (Modifying Unlawful Possession of Explosives) and Sec. 1 of Batas Pambansa 6 for illegal possession of bladed weapon, at the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office, while further investigation will be made on him.  

He said the intervention made was based on orders of Balagtas for the rigid implementation of Operations plan (OPLAN) Lambat Sibat, an intensified Pulis Anti Crime Campaign and P.A.T.R.O.L. PLAN 2030 (Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding the Rule of Law).

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/111331/us-citizen-accosted-with-hand-grenade-at-naia-t1