“Laglag Bala in NAIA” is Millions of Pesos Extortion Scam Running for Years

Corruption and extortion inside Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is another problem facing by not only OFWs, but tourists alike. This is also a big challenge to authorities especially that the people are losing confidence.

Yesterday, it was reported that two more passengers set to leave the country were arrested after the discovery of bullets in their luggage bags at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2).

With the widening uproar over the bullet mess, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto called on Malacañang to straighten out the mess by setting up a  “Presidential Action and Complaint Desk” at the country’s premier gateway to serve as a “one-stop, on-the-spot troubleshooting center” for OFWs and other travellers.

The latest victims of the bullet mess are Pancho M. Salgado, 65, of Taytay, Rizal; and Chris Valerie Panopio Mendoza, Sampaloc Manila. Salgado allegedly yielded an armalite bullet while entering NAIA-2, while a .45 caliber bullet was confiscated from the luggage bag of Mendoza.

Salgado was bound for Osaka, Japan, while Mendoza was supposed to leave for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when they were held by airport authorities. Both are currently detained at the PNP Aviation Security Group detention center while awaiting bail.

Last Thursday, Revelina A. Combis, 68, of South Poblacion, Dipaculao, Aurora, was prevented from boarding Philippine Airlines flight PR 2041 bound for Caticlan, Boracay, after members of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) found a .45 caliber bullet allegedly inside her hand carry bag at the NAIA-3.

Combis has been charged before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office with violation of Section 28 of R.A. 10591, the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.”

A Japanese, who was earlier arrested after airport police found two .44 caliber bullets in his luggage bag, has been released after posting a P40,000 bail.

A month ago, two bullets were found on the luggage of a wheelchair-bound OFW leaving the country. She allegedly paid PHP500 just for security to let her go. Soon after, a first-time visitor to the Philippines was detained for allegedly concealing a bullet in his baggage. Lane Michael White alleged that airport personnel offered to settle his problem with PHP30,000. He didn’t agree.

Since then, more and more cases of the laglag bala scam has been reported. Along with them spearheading a campaign, calling on politicians to end the scam, OFWs are also getting pretty creative in their efforts to ward off evil spirits.

According to a celebrity who refused to identify herself, she was asked to pay P20,000 seven years ago after a live cal.38 bullet was found inside her handbag. Fearing that the scandal may affect her career, he had no choice but to pay the amount. There was no complaint filed against her and there was no record. She said the money was divided by three people involving an airport police and two airport employees.

According to an American who was detained for 4 days because of the same reason, he was asked to pay P50,000 at first. After 3 days of negotiation, the ransom was down to P20,000, but still he refused to pay insisting that the bullet was not his. He was then released after four days without any charge.

Meanwhile, labor advocate and senatorial candidate Susan Ople assailed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for its “deafening silence” the tanim-bala incidents against OFWs.

Ople chided OWWA for not providing any legal aid to Gloria Ortinez, one of the victims who has already been a member of OWWA for 20 years.

“I question the lack of support being extended to her by OWWA. The head of OWWA must explain her lack of empathy for an innocent OFW handcuffed and charged for a crime she did not commit, right in our homeland,” Ople said.

As an OWWA member, Ortinez is entitled to free counseling and psycho-social services from OWWA, said Ople.

/Carla Gamboa/ Assisted Press

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