DOJ forms 7-man NBI task force to probe 'laglag bala'

The Department of Justice has created a seven-member team from the National Bureau of Investigation to probe what Justice Secretary Benjamin Caguioa called "TALABA" or "tanim/laglag bala" extortion scheme.

Caguioa formed the task force through a two-page department order following recent reports of travelers being held at the airport after bullets were found in their luggage or bags.

"In the interest of the service and pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, an NBI Task Force is hereby constituted to undertake an investigation on all incidents of the alleged Tanim/Laglag Bala (TALABA) scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport," read Caguioa's order.

The secretary also tasked the NBI to "similarly undertake a case build-up on the possible criminal and/or administrative liabilities of all individuala and agencies involved, whether public or private."

Making up the NBI task force are:

• Head Agent Manuel Antonio Eduarte, as chief
• Supervising Agent Manuel Fayre Jr, as executive officer
• Supervising Agent Dennis Asistio, as team leader
• Special Investigator IV Joselito Guillen, as assistant team leader
• Special Agent Aubren Cosidon, as member
• Special Investigator III Rodelio Velez, as member
• Special Investigator III Marvin Villena, as member

Caguioa directed the NBI to coordinate with all government agencies before reviewing and evaluating all documents and other relevant materials like videos and audio recordings related to the TALABA scheme.

The NBI was also tasked to interview "in any manner or degree" all individuals, including government officials, who will be determined to have been directly involved in the supposed scheme.

The NBI should also ensure that those it will be interviewing would execute sworn statements.

Ultimately, the NBI will have to "submit, identify, formulate and file" the appropriate criminal and/or administrative charges against erring individuals.

Caguioa directed the NBI team to "act with dispatch" and submit its findings to him within 15 days.

Call for help

The Office of Transportation Security had earlier asked the NBI to look into the proliferation of alleged "laglag bala" incidents at NAIA.

"For purposes of transparency, sumulat na nga ako sa NBI na tulungan nyo kami dito kasi as far as investigation is concerned, sila dapat siguro mag imbestiga nyan," OTS administrator Roland Recomono said in an interview.

"Sige imbestigahan natin yan. Pero pag kami nag-imbestiga baka masabing 'di ka transparent. Kaya sabi ko wini-welcome ko yung NBI.... For the sake of transparency, why don't we create a task group or a task force?" added Recomono, a retired commodore.

The OTS is the agency under the Department of Transportation and Communication in charge of luggage screeners at the country's airports.

Its employees are among those being blamed for the extortion that involves framing unsuspecting passengers by planting live bullets in their luggage.

'Blown out of proportion'

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday met with transport officials to discuss the issue. He directed the Department of Transportation and Communication to conduct a review of the alleged scheme.

On Wednesday, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the issue appears to "have been blown out of proportion."

Abaya said the government is trying to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of passengers at the NAIA, and boosting the already low morale of airport personnel due to alleged planting of bullets or "laglag bala" modus.

He said they are also investigating allegations of airport personnel deliberately planting bullets to extort money from passengers.

“We’re trying to balance three priorities: 1) the response of the government to ensure security of people brought about by terrorism and illegal activities; 2) our bosses' rights are not trampled upon and not taken advantage of; [but] 3) we cannot simply demonize the people to whom we entrust our safety,” said Abaya. —JST, GMA News