Senior citizens Esteban and Salvacion Cortabista were offloaded from their flight to Los Angeles, California after a live ammunition for .38 caliber pistol was found in the hand carried bag of Salvacion. Photo by Raoul Esperas

MANILA - Two senior citizens were barred from boarding their flight bound for Los Angeles, California after airport security personnel discovered a live bullet in their baggage.

Couple Esteban and Salvacion Cortabista, ages 78 and 74 respectively, were barred from boarding Korean Air flight KE 622 when personnel manning the X-ray scanner of Ninoy Aquino International Airport discovered a live ammunition for a .38 caliber pistol in the carry-on bag of Salvacion.

The couple was surprised to learn that a live ammunition was found in their baggage. They denied owning the ammunition.

"Dalawang beses na po kami bumibiyahe sa America at alam na alam po namin na bawal ang mag-dala ng bala. Eh bakit naman po kami magdadala ng bala?" Salvacion told ABS-CBN News.

Esteban said he was surprised that they were able to get past the first X-ray scanner when they entered NAIA Terminal 1 but were later on blocked at the final scanning area.

''Dumaan po kami sa unang X-ray eh wala naman pong nakita. Eh bakit dito po eh biglang may nakitang bala sa bag ni misis?" Esteban said.

As of writing, the couple was offloaded from their flight and their checked baggage were stored at the Korean Air's office, pending the investigation and filing of appropriate charges by airport authorities.

"Mga ordinaryo lang po kaming magsasaka sa Boso Boso, Antipolo. Wala naman po kaming pera. Bakit kami naman po ang bibiktimahin ng tanim-bala dito sa airport?" the couple said.