MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Tuesday urged transport and justice officials to conduct a top-to-bottom cleansing of airport personnel to improve the country’s image among visitors, following the dismissal of security officers involved in the “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) scheme.

Escudero said the removal of transportation security personnel should pave the way for more wide-ranging initiatives, particularly with the privatization of airport operations under the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC).

“We have this window of opportunity to implement long-term initiatives that will transform the country’s image and enhance the experience of visitors and domestic travelers the moment they land and when they depart to their destinations. This is long overdue,” he said.

The Senate leader also commended newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon for swiftly dismissing three employees from the Office of Transportation Security (OTS), who allegedly attempted to victimize a 69-year-old woman and her family before their flight to Vietnam. 

Authorities later confirmed that no bullet nor bullet casing was found in their belongings.

Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, a special provision mandates the reimbursement of passengers who missed their flights due to excessive or unnecessary questioning by immigration personnel, with funds sourced from the Bureau of Immigration’s unutilized budget. 

Escudero supported the inclusion of this provision.