MANILA - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) report confirms that the laglag bala scam is real and it's happening not just on the imagination of the victims. The NBI has also filed criminal charges against several airport officers in connection with the arrest and detention of alleged "tanim-bala" modus victim Lane Michael White.
According to the American he was victimized by the bullet-planting modus upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 (NAIA 4) last September 17.
Charged in a complaint filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the National Bureau of Investigation, on White's behalf, are Maria Elena Cena and Marvin Garcia of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS); and SPO2 Rolando A. Clarin, P/CINSP Adriano Junio, SPO4 Ramon Bernardo, and SPO2 Romy Navarro of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP).
Both Cena and Garcia was seen in the video footage taken by White's step-mother, they were the one who handled White's luggage at the X-ray machine area and called his attention for the alleged presence of a bullet in the luggage. Both are facing charges of robbery/extortion; violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 7438 (An Act Defining Certain Rights of Person Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation and Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers) and RA No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
Clarin, Junio, Bernardino, and Navarro face charges for Violations of Article V, Section 38 (Liability for Planting Evidence) of RA No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act); robbery/extortion; and violations of RA No. 7438 and RA No. 3019.
White and his stepmother, Filipina Eloisa Zoleta, are named as complainants of the case.
Based on their testimonies, the airport officers allegedly tried to extort P30,000 for the non-filing of charges against White.
Showing posts with label laglag bala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laglag bala. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
Fox News and other Foreign News Reported about NAIA Manila Airport Bullet Planting Scam; Naia syndicate confirmed
WATCH: The Philippines may get mad at me, but this airport bullet planting scam deserves to be called out! [please...
Posted by Greta Van Susteren on Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren who offended Thailand by saying it is “the lamest country of the day,” has set her sights on another Asian country and this time it's the Philippines. She called out the NAIA Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) airport personnel for being allegedly involve in the Bullet Planting (laglag bala) extortion scheme
The extortion scam happens when airport employees plant bullets in the bags of unsuspecting international travelers, once they go through X-Ray scan obviously they will get flagged. Then the airport security will let them choose go to jail or “pay a fine.”
The Facebook video has now been viewed more than 4.6 million times, it has more than 176,000 shares.
A former criminal defense and civil trial lawyer, Susteren was named Forbes' 99th most powerful woman in the world in September.
Here's another video of Greta about the scam:
WATCH: Another night going after the Philippines! What will it take to protect innocent travelers? If you haven't already liked my Facebook page, do so now so you'll never miss an update on this story!
Posted by Greta Van Susteren on Thursday, November 5, 2015
Another news this time in Japan, reported the NAIA Manila Airport Bullet Planting Scam complete with reenactment which is somewhat funny but embarrassing towards the NAIA staff. The video was shared by Facebook user Shinjoy Noisap Martinez.
Nakakahiya n tlga ang bansang pilipinas balitang balita n pati dto sa japan ang isyu ng laglag bala n yan.tlagang iminuwestra pa kung paano ang ginagawang pambbiktima sa loob ng airport.
Posted by Shinjoy Noisap Martinez on Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Meanwhile, initial findings by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation reveal that some porters identify potential victims of the “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) scam and accomplices in the security and immigration services take over from them inside the four terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
Monday, November 2, 2015
People Caught with Bullets in bags in NAIA increase by 775% in 2015
MANILA, Philippines — The number of people arrested for having bullets in bags at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have increased more than 775% in 2015.
(NAIA Manila Airport Bullet Planting Scam Rise 775% in 2015)
Those apprehended with bullets in their luggage has increased up to a staggering 775% this year, from only 12 incidents in 2014 to 105 cases from January to November this year, data from the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group showed. But still the airport police aren’t convinced there’s an extortion racket behind it.
Asked for the reason behind the sudden leap in numbers, Panisan shared her “impression” that security screeners, from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), have stepped up their duties since the implementation of the new Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, approved in 2013.
Under the updated law, possession of a single live bullet could merit an P80,000 bail, P200,000 if the suspect was a foreigner, Panisan said.
Panisan dismissed allegations that an airport-based “syndicate” has been operating a “laglag bala” (planting of bullets) extortion racket. “Based on our investigation [before], it was never proven. No one was ever implicated,” Panisan said.
Panisan explained OTS personnel under the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) have been tasked to screen passengers’ baggage. “We [the PNP Avsegroup] have no part in the actual security screening….[The Avsegroup] are only called in if there is a [discovered] violation of procedures, such as the bringing in of bullets, guns, or explosives,” Panisan said.
Based on the testimony and evidence furnished by the OTS security screeners, the Avsegroup apprehends the suspect and files the complaint in the Pasay prosecutor’s office.
From the passengers’ entry into the airport and as they pass through security screenings, only the passengers themselves carry their own baggage, unless they hire porters, according to Panisan. Even after the security officers see something suspicious in the X-ray, and take a screenshot of it, they will still the Avsegroup first before having the bag opened by the passengers themselves. “How can you plant a bullet then?” Panisan said, rhetorically, in Filipino.
Asked why passengers would keep bringing the contraband to the airport, Panisan surmised: “With all due respect to our countrymen, our belief in amulets go deep.”
Panisan, however, clarified that the Avsegroup would only file a criminal complaint against those in possession of a “complete” or live bullet. Empty shells — which are usually the ones turned into amulets — only get confiscated and “documented.”
Panisan advised: “When you travel, be sure you’re the ones who pack your bags. It’s common to borrow bags….but ensure that it is empty.” She suggested that passengers wrap or lock their bags “so there would be no reason to say a bullet had been planted.”
Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, explained that under the Firearms law, “intention [for the ammunition possession] does not matter.”
“[The intention] is not taken into consideration. The mere possession of prohibited item is already a violation of the law. Of course we sympathize with countrymen who get caught, but the law is strict,” Mayor said.
“Of course, if there are those in our group who violated [laws], we will welcome an investigation. Our intention is the same. Our org has been affected. We appeal to public, let us not prejudge. Let us wait for investigation that will be conducted. We want the truth to come out so we will know who is the culprit,” Mayor said.
Mayor, in a phone interview, added that there were legal “remedies” also available to those who were victimized by the supposed extortion scam. “If you think you’re aggrieved, you can file a case against the person who did it,” the police spokesperson said. “Assuming you can identify the person, file a complaint for planting of evidence…or civil damages if you missed your flight.”
But Mayor also reminded: “You must be able to establish sufficient evidence” for such complaints.
This will scam will surely hit tourism in the Philippines it is now reported on major news like:
BBC
Dailymail
CNN
HKFP
19-year-old Girl Victimized in NAIA Manila airport Bullet Planting Scam
NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Manila's airport for two years in the row was voted as the worst airport in the world (Sleeping in Airports), this year due to minor facelift they actually improved for the worst to the 8th worst airport in Asia. But now NAIA seems to want to achieve the top spot again with a new scam called "lag lag bala (Bullet Planting Scam)" believed to be executed by airport security guards and other airport employees. Once the bag planted with bullets gone through security x-ray checkpoint the bullet will be found and victims will be threatened with charges of illegal possession of ammunition unless they pay a fine.
Victims reported on the media now includes:
- 20-year-old Lane Michael White who is a American missionary, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) found .22-cal. bullet found inside his baggage. He was jailed for 6 days and got out only after posting a P40,000 bail.
- Rhed Austria de Guzman a Wheelchair-bound American woman who bribed an OTS with P500 so that she'll be cleared for her flight back to California. Two .22-caliber bullets were found in one of the pockets of her luggage.
- Gloria Ortinez, a 56-year-old domestic worker who is going to Hong Kong to return to her job as stopped at the airport after a bullet was found in her carry-on luggage.
- Kazunobu Sakamoto, a 33-year-old Japanese tourist, was also arrested after two bullets were discovered inside the pocket of a shirt folded in his luggage.
- 19-year-old girl who is a student was also stopped and wasn't able to board the plane when a bullet was found inside her sling bag discovered by NAIA Terminal 3 personnel. She is a member of Los Cantates de Manila choir and was on her way for an international competition in Busan, South Korea.
- 60-year-old engineer Augusto Dagan was arrested by authorities at the Davao International Airport after he was found with two 9-millimeter bullets inside his luggage. It is believed that the bullets were planted in NAIA but the bullets was discovered in Davao.
A source said that this scam has been going on even before and they target 20 victims a day.
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