Elderly couple files raps vs. airport personnel

An eldery couple allegedly victimized by the "laglag-bala" or bullet planting scheme on Tuesday filed criminal charges against airport officials and employees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a manifestation before the Department of Justice, Salvacion Cortabista, 75, and Esteban Cortabista, 78, through the Public Attorney's Office, informed Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva that they have filed with the Pasay Prosecutor's Office a complaint against wheelchair attendant Nino Namba, and Airport inspectors Ferdinand Morales and Fatti Dame Go.

Namba, Morales and Go were charged with violation of Section 38, of RA No 10591 or Planting of Evidence, Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code under the crime of Robbery with Intimidation of a Person, and Article 287 of the Penal Code under Unjust Vexation and damages.

"Wherefore, premises considered, complainant respectfully prays of this Honorable Office that the foregoing manifestation be Duly Noted, and her allegations be found sufficient to warrant the filing of criminal charges with damages against Nino Namba, Ferdinand Morales, and Fatti Dame Go," it avers.

Salvacion said she was supposed to fly to Los Angeles, California last April 19, 2016, along with her 78-year old husband and niece when she was stopped at the airport.

She said she was suffering from severe arthritis and engaged Namba to help them with their bags and push the wheelchair.

Suprisingly, at the final x-ray screening machine, a live bullet was allegedly detected inside her handbag by Morales, a member of Office of the Transportation Security.

"Morales, and another OTS Member, Fatti Dame Go, together with Namba, implied to Salvacion and her niece Maria Fe Balagot, that more than P50,000 would 'settle' the case," the complaint-affidavit read.

The couple refused the demand and ended up being charged with the DOJ for illegal possession of ammunition, but Salvacion had already pleaded before Prosecutor Villanueva for the dismissal of the case.

In a nine-page manifestation, PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said that there is no evidence against her client and the case must be junked.

"Wherefore, respondent respectfully prays of this Honorable Office that his Manifestation be Noted and Considered, and that the instant case be Dismissed for utter lack of merit," it stated. —ALG/JST, GMA News