MANILA - Security personnel did not commit any irregularity in connection with an alleged case of "tanim-bala" or bullet-planting incident at the country's main airport, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Sunday.

Passenger Kristine Moran shared on Facebook that a bullet was discovered in her baggage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Friday.

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Moran's luggage was "still wrapped in plastic" when an x-ray operator noticed a bullet inside the bag as it passed through initial screening before check-in, the DOTr said in a statement.

The operator then asked a baggage inspector and a policeman to validate the x-ray image of the bullet before Moran was asked to remove the bag's clear plastic wrap.

The bag was searched in Moran's presence while screening personnel took a video to allay fears of a "tanim-bala" scheme. The inspection yielded a caliber 9mm ammunition, which was confiscated, the DOTr said.

Airport personnel assured Moran and her 2 companions that they will be allowed to board their Zamboanga-bound flight after the documentation process, but she "created a scene and uttered foul allegations to the airport personnel, which she also posted on Facebook," the agency said.

"There was no irregularity on the actions of screening personnel, who simply strictly followed standard operating procedures," the DOTR said.

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In previous instances, passengers whose luggage yielded bullets have been allowed to board their flights after the contraband items were confiscated and documented, the agency added.

"Note that since the Duterte administration took over, not a single passenger has missed a flight due to a piece of ammunition. Not a single passenger was asked to pay any amount to anyone, which is what the 'tanim bala' scheme is all about," it said.

The agency asked the public to "refrain from making assumptions as investigations are being conducted."

"Let us also bear in mind that there are airport personnel — hard working Filipino workers like the rest of us — whose livelihood, name, and dignity are put to question because of unfair allegations," it said.