Officials assure no ‘laglag-bala’

CEBU, Philippines - Officials have assured that the Mactan Cebu International Airport is free from the so-called "laglag-bala" extortion scheme.

In a press conference yesterday, airport manager Nigel Paul Villarete said the alleged extortion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila will not prosper at MCIA because the airport here is smaller and is easy to monitor.

High definition security cameras are installed at strategic places at the departure areas for domestic and international flights.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she is confident the modus operandi cannot penetrate the Mactan airport.

"I don't think so nga mahitabo na. Ang GMR-Megawide kay sila man ang nag operate inside sa airport, they are doing their best nga ma-avoid na ang issue," Radaza said.

She said the city's tourism office is in constant discussion with GMCAC and MCIA to ensure the safety of local and international travelers.

"I assure tourists are safe going through our airport. I won't let them get victimized by the alleged scheme," Radaza said.

Confiscation

Villarete said they have not received any extortion complaint but said airport security does confiscate bullets from passengers, including those made into amulets.

Intelligence Officer 2 Jemar Nietes of the DOTC-Office for Transportation Security said those who will be found with bullets, live or not, will not be allowed to board their flights.

Villarete said the airport administration is very careful in maintaining and protecting its clean reputation, considering that Cebu is a top tourist destination.

Villarete said a total of 1,386 amulets and empty shells were confiscated from April to December last year while at least 1,044 were confiscated from January to November this year.

Yesterday, security personnel at MCIA intercepted two passengers bringing prohibited items.

"These are the cases happening in the airport and I'm very sure it's happening to all other airports in the Philippines basically because in this government, particularly the PNP, Avsegroup and DOTC are doing their jobs because they are supposed to intercept and this do happen," Villarete said.

He said in most cases, the passengers intercepted during security screenings would admit carrying the prohibited items.

"There are reasons, most of them came from firing ranges," Villarete said.

From January 2014 to June this year, only two cases have been filed against passengers for violating Republic Act 10591 or the law against illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

"Naa gyud makasuhan, kung nagdala og live ammunition, of course, og kung dili ka maka-explain, dili ka authorize to bring this, of course by full force of the law, you're charged in court," Villarete said.

NAIA has received massive criticism over the alleged planting or dropping of bullets into the bags and luggage of passengers, the most common target of which are overseas Filipino workers and foreign travelers. The victims are allegedly being made to choose by arresting officers between being arrested and paying bribe money.

Just yesterday, no less than the United Nations warned its staff to be wary of the scheme, something that Malacañang described as an "unfortunate development."

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

NAIA airport security has since denied any involvement in the modus. — /JMO (FREEMAN)