Elderly Woman Faces Trauma After Being Accused of Carrying Bullet at NAIA
An elderly woman expressed her frustrations and faces trauma after being accused of carrying bullet at NAIA.
A 69-year-old woman, Ruth Adel, faced a distressing experience at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.
On March 6, 2025, while preparing to board her flight to Vietnam with her daughter Cai, she was stopped by security personnel who claimed her bag contained an “anting-anting” or amulet, later described as a bullet shell.
“Sabi ng mother ko ‘anong anting-anting?’ Sabi ng officer, ‘basyo po’ tumatawa pa siya so iniisip namin prank ba ito? Bakit ganun yung delivery niya? Bakit ina-out loud siya in public, hindi ba dapat confidential yun,” Cai sad.
Cai recounted that after clearing security checks, a female officer approached them at the boarding gate, stating Ruth’s luggage needed further inspection. What shocked them was the officer’s casual and joking tone, making them question the seriousness of the accusation.
Adel asked about the alleged item, and the officer laughingly responded, “a bullet shell.” This reaction raised their suspicions. Cai insisted that any inspection be done publicly rather than in a private area, fearing possible evidence planting.
The security personnel then called their supervisor, who contradicted the initial claim by stating the suspicious item was in Ruth’s handbag instead. The inconsistency further increased their doubts. Upon checking the handbag themselves, they found nothing illegal.
The security officers attempted to hide their name tags when Cai began recording. When Ruth mentioned reporting them, they turned away without explanation.
The incident left the elderly woman traumatized. Even after reaching Vietnam, she struggled with anxiety and sleepless nights. She admitted losing trust in airport authorities and vowed to secure her luggage with locks for future travels.
“Parang wala na akong tiwala. Kaya sabi ko pag nag-travel ako kailangan mayroon nang susi yung bag ko,” she added.
In another post, a female passenger confirms ‘tanim bala’ modus operandi was back in NAIA
The PNP Aviation Security Group referred the issue to the Office for Transportation Security, which has yet to release a statement.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
