TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A routine airport security screening took an unexpected turn Friday night after authorities arrested a 59-year-old businessman who allegedly attempted to board a Manila-bound flight carrying a magazine and 30 rounds of live .45-caliber ammunition inside his backpack.
The incident happened at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, according to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) report cited by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Police identified the passenger only as alias “Mak,” a resident of Barangay Copocawayan in Sto. Niño, Samar.
X-ray scan exposes ammunition
Authorities said the passenger was preparing to leave Tacloban for Manila when an X-ray operator detected suspicious items inside his backpack at around 7:15 p.m.
The bag was subsequently subjected to a manual inspection at the airport’s Central Security Screening Checkpoint.
The inspection was conducted in the presence of police personnel, witnesses and the passenger.
That examination reportedly resulted in the discovery of one magazine and 30 rounds of live .45-caliber ammunition.
The discovery immediately triggered further verification by personnel of the Tacloban Airport Police Station.
Passenger allegedly failed to show authorization
Police said the passenger was asked to present documents demonstrating his legal authority to possess the ammunition.
He allegedly failed to produce the required documentation.
Authorities then arrested him and informed him of the reason for his arrest and of his constitutional rights under the Miranda doctrine, according to the police report.
The seized ammunition and magazine were secured and turned over to the duty investigator for proper disposition and examination.
As of the latest report, the businessman remained in the custody of the airport police station while investigators gathered additional evidence and prepared a possible complaint.
Possible violation of firearms law
Police are looking into a possible violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The law regulates the ownership, possession, acquisition and transfer of firearms and ammunition in the Philippines. It also provides that a license to possess a registered firearm includes authorization to possess ammunition appropriate for that firearm, subject to a limit of 50 rounds per registered firearm, unless additional ammunition is authorized for qualified sports shooters.
Importantly, the law separately penalizes the unlawful acquisition or possession of ammunition for small arms and certain classes of light weapons.
That means the issue in the Tacloban case is not simply the number of rounds reportedly found, but whether the passenger had the necessary legal authority to possess the ammunition.
Airport security remains a critical checkpoint
The case also highlights how airport X-ray screening can intercept firearms-related items before passengers reach an aircraft.
Similar airport incidents have been reported elsewhere in the Philippines in recent months.
In May, for example, a 62-year-old passenger was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after authorities allegedly discovered an unlicensed .45-caliber pistol loaded with six live rounds in his luggage. He was also investigated for a possible violation of RA 10591.
Tacloban Airport has likewise been the site of other security-related arrests. In May 2025, authorities arrested a Manila-bound passenger after finding a replica Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun and magazine in his luggage during airport screening.
The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group has repeatedly urged travelers to check their baggage carefully before heading to airports and to avoid carrying prohibited items that could lead to being denied boarding or arrested.
For the latest Tacloban case, however, authorities have not publicly established why the ammunition was in the passenger’s backpack or whether it was intended for any particular purpose. Those circumstances remain subject to investigation.
The businessman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
WWC ONE MEDIA
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