UN's warning against 'laglag bala' an unfortunate development —Palace

An unfortunate development.

That was how Malacañang characterized a United Nations internal memo warning its staff to be wary of a reported scheme that allegedly involves Philippine airport security personnel who plant bullets on bags of passengers to extort money.

"We hope that, moving forward with the new measures that will be implemented, there will be no need for such advisories in the future," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Several Filipinos and foreigners claim they have been victimized by the alleged scheme wherein passengers caught carrying the planted bullets were made to choose by arresting officers if they want to be apprehended or just hand over bribe money.

"Staff members are advised to keep your luggage with you, lock your luggage, and consider wrapping your luggage in plastic as an extra security measure," said an internal memo by the UN Department of Safety and Security dated Nov. 3.

"Officials at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are allegedly slipping bullets into passengers' bags and then trying to extort money from them when bullets are ‘found’ by security," the UN memo added.

"Surveillance at the airport has been stepped up since the complaints began and an investigation has been launched into the personnel accused of involvement."

Airport officials have denied their security officials were involved in the scam.

Valte said Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya had committed that the government will get to the bottom of the controversy.

"He also did make it a point to say that regardless of whether it’s .001 or if it’s .10 [percent], the fact remains that government must move regardless of the statistics," said Valte. —JST, GMA News