The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has reminded travelers and the general public to refrain from bringing bullets as amulets, known locally as “anting-anting,” to the country’s airports.
The OTS issued the statement after a “component of ammunition used as amulet” was found in the belongings of an Iloilo-bound passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on February 18.
The item was detected during routine x-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage.
The OTS said that in order to avoid misconception by some passengers that bullet planting or “laglag bala” was being committed, security personnel showed their empty hands before and after the manual baggage inspection.
The passenger was allowed to board the flight after surrendering the item, which has been turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group (AVSECOM) for disposition.
“Maraming mga pasahero pa rin po talaga ang patuloy na nagdadala ng bala na ginagawang anting-anting sa ating mga airports. Paalala lang po ulit sa mga pasahero, ‘wag na po tayong mag dala ng mga ganitong bagay para iwas-abala sa pag biyahe,” OTS Undersecretary Crizaldo Nieves said in a statement.
(Many passengers are still bringing bullets as amulets to our airports. May we remind our passengers to please stop bringing these items so they won’t encounter any hassles during their trips.)
Nieves reminded air commuters to visit the OTS website and Facebook page to check the list of prohibited items at airports and other travel information.
In an interview amid public furor over the “laglag bala” scheme, Dr. Nestor Castro of the University of the Philippines’ Department of Anthropology said the use of bullets as amulets originated during the American occupation of the Philippines.
He said historical records point towards Macabebe Scouts using silver bullets as amulets, a possible American influence as silver bullets are used to combat werewolves in American folklore.
Bullet casings are usually blessed with spells or prayers to safeguard the owner from witchcraft, monsters, and persons with ill-intention.
In modern times, he said bullets are used as lucky charms rather than protective amulets, but the beliefs persist to this day. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
