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Solons want MIAA GM Honrado sacked over ‘laglag-bala’ scheme
(Updated 9:36 a.m., Nov. 2) Three lawmakers urged President Benigno Aquino III Sunday to fire Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado over the growing number of travelers victimized by the “laglag-bala” extortion scheme at the country's airports.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chair of the House committee on labor, took Honrado to task for the supposed negligence and insensitivity he has shown by downplaying the gravity of the scheme allegedly involving airport staff.
"At the first instance that this laglag-bala scam was exposed by the media, we expected concrete and immediate action, but unfortunately, Honrado was content making excuses for the shenanigans inside the airports he manages. Honrado must be removed if we really want to reform the image of our airports," he said.
The lawmaker blamed Honrado for the ridicule the Philippines is earning from Filipinos and foreigners alike over the scheme, which he said has resulted in travelers' wrapping their luggage with masking tape or clear wrap to deter airport personnel from planting bullets in their bags.
“This is really embarrassing. [In no other] airport in the world can you find this kind of paranoia. Only in the Philippines," Nograles said.
The “laglag bala” scheme involves the discreet dropping of bullets, supposedly by airport personnel, into the bags of unwitting airline passengers with the aim of extorting money from them upon apprehension so that charges against them would be dropped.
DOTC probe
Meanwhile, Nograles warned that the administration's reputation might suffer if Aquino does not remove Honrado from his post.
"Honrado's incompetence and this laglag-bala cases at the NAIA will be an election issue. His name is now synonymous to laglag-bala and this will be his image for the rest of his life. The entire Aquino government might just earn the same tag if he is not removed as MIAA general manager," he said.
Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz said Honrado must be removed from his post before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader's Summit from November 18 to 19.
"Even as we are rushing with our last minute preparations for APEC, we must enjoin all the heads of agencies in charge of operations and security at the international airport to submit their courtesy resignation. We need to put in an entirely new crew in charge of inspection and security and file charges against those involved in this laglag-bala operation," he said.
For his part, OFW Family Club party-list Rep. Roy Señeres said the President should also order a revamp of the entire MIAA, the Office of Transportation Security, and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Office (PNP-AVSECO) in addition to firing Honrado.
"A full blown reorganization is needed if indeed President Aquino is serious in his declaration that he would put a stop to this laglag-bala practice at the NAIA,” he said.
Señeres also urged the Office of the Ombudsman to step in and conduct a lifestyle check on Honrado and all other MIAA, OTS and PNP-AVSECO officials and personnel to identify who could possibly be involved in the “laglag bala” modus, as well as other illegal activities in airports.
In a separate statement, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said it is high time for security guidelines in airports to be reviewed to determine if authorities have been taking advantage of airline passengers by apprehending them for allegedly carrying bullets.
“We need to review the law which criminalizes the mere possession of one or two bullets. There might be a need to draft a new law that will simply mandate the confiscation of the bullets but will not criminalize it,” he said. — Xianne Arcangel/BM/RSJ, GMA News
Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chair of the House committee on labor, took Honrado to task for the supposed negligence and insensitivity he has shown by downplaying the gravity of the scheme allegedly involving airport staff.
"At the first instance that this laglag-bala scam was exposed by the media, we expected concrete and immediate action, but unfortunately, Honrado was content making excuses for the shenanigans inside the airports he manages. Honrado must be removed if we really want to reform the image of our airports," he said.
The lawmaker blamed Honrado for the ridicule the Philippines is earning from Filipinos and foreigners alike over the scheme, which he said has resulted in travelers' wrapping their luggage with masking tape or clear wrap to deter airport personnel from planting bullets in their bags.
“This is really embarrassing. [In no other] airport in the world can you find this kind of paranoia. Only in the Philippines," Nograles said.
The “laglag bala” scheme involves the discreet dropping of bullets, supposedly by airport personnel, into the bags of unwitting airline passengers with the aim of extorting money from them upon apprehension so that charges against them would be dropped.
DOTC probe
On Friday, Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya said they are already investigating the reports on the supposed extortion racket at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
"Iniimbestigahan namin ['yung reports]," Abaya said in an interview on GMA News TV's QRT. "Dahil kung mayroon man ito dapat hindi mangyari, dapat itigil dahil mali naman talaga gawin ito."
He vowed that airport personnel who will be found engaged in such illegal activity will be penalized.
As of posting time, GMA News was still trying to reach Honrado for his comments.
As of posting time, GMA News was still trying to reach Honrado for his comments.
"Honrado's incompetence and this laglag-bala cases at the NAIA will be an election issue. His name is now synonymous to laglag-bala and this will be his image for the rest of his life. The entire Aquino government might just earn the same tag if he is not removed as MIAA general manager," he said.
Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz said Honrado must be removed from his post before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader's Summit from November 18 to 19.
"Even as we are rushing with our last minute preparations for APEC, we must enjoin all the heads of agencies in charge of operations and security at the international airport to submit their courtesy resignation. We need to put in an entirely new crew in charge of inspection and security and file charges against those involved in this laglag-bala operation," he said.
For his part, OFW Family Club party-list Rep. Roy Señeres said the President should also order a revamp of the entire MIAA, the Office of Transportation Security, and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Office (PNP-AVSECO) in addition to firing Honrado.
"A full blown reorganization is needed if indeed President Aquino is serious in his declaration that he would put a stop to this laglag-bala practice at the NAIA,” he said.
Señeres also urged the Office of the Ombudsman to step in and conduct a lifestyle check on Honrado and all other MIAA, OTS and PNP-AVSECO officials and personnel to identify who could possibly be involved in the “laglag bala” modus, as well as other illegal activities in airports.
In a separate statement, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said it is high time for security guidelines in airports to be reviewed to determine if authorities have been taking advantage of airline passengers by apprehending them for allegedly carrying bullets.
“We need to review the law which criminalizes the mere possession of one or two bullets. There might be a need to draft a new law that will simply mandate the confiscation of the bullets but will not criminalize it,” he said. — Xianne Arcangel/BM/RSJ, GMA News
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