UN Warns Philippines on “Laglag Bala” Syndicate

The United Nations (UN) sent an internal memo warning its staff to be careful and wary of a reported scheme that allegedly involves Philippine airport security people who plant bullets on passengers’ luggage to extort money.

“We hope that, moving forward with the new measures that will be implemented, there will be no need for such advisories in the future,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Many Filipinos and foreigners claim that they have been victimized by the alleged “lag-lag bala” scheme. The claim said passengers who are caught with bullets are asked to pay certain amount of money ranging from P500 to as big as P50,000.

“Staff members are advised to keep your luggage with you, lock your luggage, and consider wrapping your luggage in plastic as an extra security measure,” said an internal memo by the UN Department of Safety and Security dated Nov. 3.

“Officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are allegedly slipping bullets into passengers’ bags and then trying to extort money from them when bullets are ‘found’ by security,” the UN memo added.

“Surveillance at the airport has been stepped up since the complaints began and an investigation has been launched into the personnel accused of involvement.”

Airport officials have denied the allegations saying their security people have nothing to do with the intercepted bullets.

Last week, a taxi driver has been caught by his passenger planting bullet in his luggage. The incident resulted to the cancellation of the taxi’s franchise.

People believe that the syndicate running the scheme is too large and involve different people (from taxi drivers, porters, and airport security personnel).

Valte said Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya had committed that the government will get to the bottom of the controversy.

“He also did make it a point to say that regardless of whether it’s .001 or if it’s .10 [percent], the fact remains that government must move regardless of the statistics,” said Valte.

The Philippine’s main airport has been plague by controversies starting from “the worst airport”, to “sex for flight”, and not the “laglag bala” extortion scam.

The agency also asked the government to investigate and act as soon as possible. A number of foreigners already seek help of the UN regarding the scam – which put the Philippine government in extreme odd.

The palace called the warning “unfortunate development”.

/Sarah Gamboa/

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