Drop that bullet, wear charms with 'fierce-looking' animals instead

Those who cannot travel without a bullet amulet should consider airport-allowed charms to avoid falling victims to the "laglag bala" scam and the hassle of being detained at the airport.

 

Feng Shui expert Hanz Cua told radio dzBB that there are alternatives to the bullet amulet.

 

Cua said that if a traveler wants protection, he should wear or bring charms with "fierce-looking" animals such as a tiger and a dragon.

 

"Puwedeng suutin at least, hindi ka lalapitan ng mga laglag bala," Cua said.

 

Jimwell Naval, sociologist and professor at the University of the Philippines, said that the Filipinos' belief that a bullet amulet gives the wearer protection was brought by the Americans.

 

"Ang bala nagsimula noong panahon ng Amerikano. Actually sila ang nagpauso niyan, ang silver bullet na tinatawag," Naval told radio dzBB in a separate interview.

 

"So nadala natin iyan hanggang ngayon. Akala natin may bisa. Hanggang ngayon ang tradisyunal na paniniwala..." he said.

 

Naval said that there are no truth to claims that a wearer or owner of an amulet, including bullets, get extra protection from bad luck and bad spirits.

 

"Walang pag-aaral na ito ay nakakapagligtas talaga sa buhay  ng tao," he said.

 

The contrversy of laglag bala at the airport has drawn international attention. 

 

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered an investigation into the alleged scam that has victimized even foreigners.

 

Deputy presidential spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte said that aside from installing more CCTV cameras around the airport, a "no touch" policy is now being implemented in  baggage inspection.  —ALG, GMA News