PNoy says 'laglag-bala' issue sensationalized
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday insisted that the "laglag-bala" or bullet planting issue in the country's airports have been "sensationalized."
"Medyo na-sensationalize at medyo may mga nakinabang na mag-sensationalize niyan," Aquino said.
The president added that the allegations of extortion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have yet to be proven.
Aquino pointed out that only about 1,200 out of 34 million passengers every year have been apprehended for possession of ammunition at the NAIA.
"Pwede ba nating sabihin na ang taas ng probability na magkakaroon ako ng ganyang isyu kung ganoon ang numero mo? Three out of 34 million?" the president said.
He noted that only three passengers who were caught with bullets complained that airport officials asked them for money to avoid detention.
"Kailangan naman natin hanapan ng pruweba, one way or the other, patunayan ano ba ang tama? At kapag napatunayan kung ano iyung tama, hindi ba kung may guilty parusahan, kung may inosente matanggal naman sa kanya iyung stigma na may ginawa siyang kasalanan," Aquino said.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya earlier stressed that cases of bullet planting in airport terminals "have been blown out of proportion."
"It is incumbent upon us to look into the allegations and to make a determination of what actually happened," Abaya said in a press conference a few weeks ago.
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