Israeli National Arrested at NAIA for Alleged Illegal Possession of Firearm

Disassembled components for a 5.56mm rifle, a .22 caliber revolver, a .45 magazine, and live ammunition were recovered from an Israeli national. (Image courtesy of PNP AVSEGROUP)

Israeli National Arrested at NAIA for Alleged Illegal Possession of Firearm

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 4, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – An Israeli national has been arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after airport security discovered disassembled firearm parts and ammunition concealed in his checked luggage.

The suspect, identified only as a 50-year-old defense consultant and military reservist from Jerusalem, was preparing to board a flight to Dubai en route to Tel Aviv on Thursday (July 31, 2025) when routine X-ray screening at the Baggage Build-Up Area of NAIA Terminal 3 triggered an alert.

“The X-ray image was immediately flagged as suspicious, resembling components of a firearm,” a source in the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP) disclosed.

Following the initial alert, airport security personnel conducted a manual inspection of the suspect’s luggage in his presence.

The search revealed a disassembled cache of firearm components, including parts of a 5.56mm rifle, a .22 caliber revolver frame and cylinder, a .45 magazine, and boxes of live ammunition.

The suspect failed to show any legal document authorizing the possession or transport of the items, leading to his arrest.

He and the confiscated materials are currently in the custody of NAIA Police Station 3 for further investigation.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against the suspect.

“This arrest underscores the unwavering commitment of the PNP AVSEGROUP to maintaining the highest levels of security at our airports,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, director of the PNP AVSEGROUP.