Press Release No. 203-03
30 April 2003
DFA CAUTIONS
FILIPINO TRAVELERS AGAINST CARRYING OF ANTING-ANTING
The Department of Foreign Affairs today issued a statement cautioning the
public, particularly would-be travelers to other countries, against carrying
weapons and ammunition as lucky charms or anting-anting.
The warning was given in light of a recent case where a Filipino traveler
was accosted in India due to possession of a bullet which he claimed was
his anting-anting.
Though the Filipino was prosecuted for the illegal possession of ammunition,
upon representations by the DFA and the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi,
he was allowed to post bail. Though the case against him was subsequently
dropped, the Filipino ended up paying thousands of dollars in legal fees.
While the carrying of bullets as lucky charms is tolerated, to some extent,
in the Philippines, it may be a cause for trouble in foreign lands who have
strict laws regarding the possession of weapons and ammunition.
END