Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)—The Justice Department on Wednesday (February 10) wrapped up its preliminary investigation on the case filed by American missionary Lane Michael White against airport and police personnel.
In their complaint, White and his stepmother Eloisa Zoleta tagged two employees from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) and four Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) personnel who are allegedly involved in the “tanim bala” or bullet-planting scheme.
Recommended for prosecution are OTS staff Maria Elma Cena and Marvin Garcia; and PNP-ASG personnel SPO2 Rolando Clarin, P/CINSP Adriano Junio, SPO4 Ramon Bernardo, and SPO2 Romy Navarro.
Prosecution lawyer, Honey Rose Delgado, now has to resolve the case and determine if there is probable cause to indict the respondents.
If there’s a finding of probable cause, the case will be filed before the court.
Meanwhile, airport security screening officers Cena and Garcia have reiterated their innocence.
Their lawyer, Henesito Balasolya, said White failed to provide evidence that would link his clients to the “tanim bala” incident.
“They didn’t mention my clients planted the bullet. So there is no probable cause. That’s a vital fact,” Balasolya said.
