A security screening officer at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 stopped a passenger bound for Japan after a suspicious image resembling a firearm appeared on an X-ray monitor, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) revealed.

OTS Security Screening Officer Mark Leo Amores intercepted the passenger on Philippine Airlines flight PR408 to Kansai, Japan.

Amores then alerted the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) for assistance.

Airport officials said a manual inspection of the baggage was conducted by baggage inspector SSO Joshua Capa, who discovered a pistol of unknown caliber loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition.

The incident was documented, and the firearm and the passenger were turned over to the PNP-AVSEGROUP for proper handling and further investigation.

OTS Administrator Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar reminded the public that the Commission on Elections gun ban remains in effect, prohibiting firearms at airports.

The gun ban is in place until 11 June 2025, in connection with ongoing elections.

“The election gun ban is still in effect until 11 June 2025. Therefore, we advise all gun owners not to bring firearms and ammunition to our airports, especially if you are flying to another country,” Bisnar said in a statement.

“If this firearm reaches another country, such as Japan, and you are caught there, the penalties are much heavier,” he added.

Bisnar cited the Customs Tariff Law of Japan, which prohibits the importation of handguns, military rifles, machine guns, firearms, ammunition and parts. Violators in Japan face a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to 30 million yen or approximately P11.3 million or both.