PNoy orders DOTC to improve efforts vs 'laglag-bala' scam

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Monday ordered the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to improve its efforts against the alleged "laglag-bala" extortion scheme of airport authorities.

Aquino met this morning with DOTC officials in Malacañang amid increasing reports of the bullet-planting scam being perpetrated at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals.

"The President has been briefed and has given further instructions in order to refine the efforts under way. The DOTC as the lead agency will be updating the public," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message to reporters.

Lacierda did not elaborate the instructions given by the president.

Perpetrators of the alleged scheme work by extracting bullets, which they themselves supposedly planted, from the passengers' luggage. They then intimidate the victims to force them to pay up.

The latest incident involved a 65-year-old grandmother departing for Singapore on Sunday morning who was accosted after a bullet was allegedly found inside her carry-on bag.

Lacierda said on Saturday that Aquino and Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya had ordered an investigation.

He said additional closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be placed inside NAIA to better monitor the situation.

Lacierda described the situation as lamentable as he reminded the public to be more mindful of their luggage.

"We're looking at the process. We're looking at how that happened. We’re looking at the personnel involved," Lacierda told state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

"We want to take away that fear from them. We will ensure the safety of each and every passenger who uses our terminals," he added.