Filipinos going to Singapore warned about bringing bullets or casings

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Embassy in Singapore has issued an advisory warning Filipino travelers against bringing live or spent bullets to avoid problems with Singapore customs authorities at the airport, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

The advisory was issued after the Philippine embassy in Singapore reported to the DFA that a growing number of Filipinos were being arrested for bringing in live or spent bullets, commonly used as talismans or amulets.

The carrying of such amulets was supposed to have forbidden long ago in airports in the Philippines, particularly international airports.

“Those arrested are usually tourists coming in [through] Changi Airport,” the DFA said. “They were apprehended and detained, but subsequently released with warnings.”

It added that bringing live or spent bullets is a violation of Singapore’s law under Section 3 (1) of the Arms Offences Act (Chapter 14).

“Those found guilty of the offense my be imprisoned for a term of not less than 5 years and not more than 10 years and may also be punished with caning of not less than six strokes,” the DFA added.

The Singapore Police Force has posted a list of prohibited items on its Web site, including live bullets or blanks, firearms (including stun guns and toys resembling guns), fireworks and lighters shaped like grenades, bullets and firearms, among others.

The full list of prohibited items may be accessed at www.spf.sg/licensed/AE/others/List/AE.pdf, the DFA said.