Gatchalian calls for revamp of NAIA security officers over rising ‘laglag-bala’ cases
Valenzuela City Representative Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for a top-to-bottom revamp of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) after two more victims have reportedly fallen prey to the “laglag-bala” modus operandi at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Gatchalian earlier filed House Resolution 2419 directing the Committees on Good Government and on Transportation to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the series of laglag-bala incidents in NAIA.
In the Senate, Senator Ma. Lourdes “Nancy” Binay yesterday filed a resolution urging the Senate to look into the alleged planting of live ammunition in the luggage of unsuspecting incoming and outgoing airline passengers entering or leaving the country.
Binay suspects the scheme could be part of a well-oiled operation that has been going on at the three NAIA terminals for 10 years now.
“Nakakabahala na hindi tumitigil ang patuloy na pananamatala sa mga turista, sa ating mga balikbayan, at lalong-lalo na sa ating mga OFWs. These incidents have been reported to our authorities before as far back as 2005 but why are these abuses still happening?” Binay asked in a statement.
After bullets have been discovered in their luggages, the victims claim the airport security personnel were quick to settle the matter by demanding huge sums before they can be cleared to travel.
Be cautious “We’ve been called the worst airport in the world. Because of this modus, our reputation will surely be worse,” the senator lamented.
Binay noted the Christmas season is fast approaching and advised Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to take extra precautionary measures to avoid being victimized.
“Please warn your friends and families to be mindful and be extra careful with their luggage so as not be victimized. Don’t give these unscrupulous people the opportunity to harass and take advantage of you,” warned Binay.
The Personnel of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), together with the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP), are the authorities held responsible for the alleged extortion modus operandi.
Binay said the harassment of OFWs can seriously compromise their employment abroad. Aside from prolonging their stay in the country, the victims are required to defend themselves before the courts, with the possibility of facing jail time if convicted. International embarrassment Gatchalian’s call for a total revamp at the OTS was prompted by the revelation of Tarlac Rep. Noel Villanueva that he too fell prey to the “laglag bala syndicate” in August 2014.
“This is already becoming an international embarrassment. OTS personnel do not only shamelessly victimize our country’s modern-day heroes, they are also not afraid to prey on foreigners,” said Gatchalian, a senior vice chair of the House committee on tourism who is runningfor the senate.
The latest victims of alleged “laglag bala” in NAIA include Gloria Ortinez, a 56-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and Japanese national Kazunobu Sakamoto, 33 who were arrested, detained and charged for illegal possession of live ammunitions.
A missionary from Florida, USA was locked up in jail for five days in September after he reportedly refused to give R30,000 to two OTS personnel assigned at NAIA Terminal 4 after finding a .22 caliber bullet in his luggage.
The missionary was released from jail by a lower court judge after granting his petition reducing his bail from R80,000 to R40,000.
Ortinez claimed an OTS personnel planted a bullet in her hand luggage as it went through an x-ray machine at the NAIA Terminal 2 departure area. She missed her flight and was detained.
Ortinez’s lawyer, Spocky Farolan, asked why authorities at the Laoag International Airport, where Ortinez came from before going to the NAIA Terminal 4 and transferred to the NAIA Terminal 2, did not confiscate the bullet: “Do they have different security procedures in airport terminals?”
“These latest incidents of what appears to be ‘laglag bala’ make it more urgent for the DOTC to change their OTS personnel from management to the rank and file,” Gatchalian pointed out.
“It’s bad enough that such nefarious activities being committed by OTS personnel are causing an embarrassment to the NAIA and as an institution. But what’s worse is the serious threat it poses to our tourism industry and the overall security of our airports,” said the senatorial aspirant.