OTS bothered by public’s loss of confidence due to laglag bala

The administrator of the Office for Transportation Security has asked Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to convene the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, citing the public's loss of confidence in the in the implementation of security measures at Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to the alleged laglag bala extortion racket.

OTS administrator Roland Recamono, who's also the head of the NCASC Secretariat, said the alleged modus operandi was a security concern under Executive Order No. 311.

"The so-called 'tanim/laglag bala' issue had resulted to the loss of confidence from the riding public and apprehension on the existing law on firearms and ammunition," Recomono said in his letter to the secretary.

"Unless a decisive action is done, it will contiuously haunt the riding public, to the prejudice of the institution," he wrote.

Under the alleged scheme, a passenger is held for a bullet planted in his or her luggage.  Unscrupulous security personnel then ask for money in exchange for being released.

Recamono recommended that the meeting be called on November 12, Thursday, at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) office.

Reference for Congress

In an interview, OTS director Miguel Oraa said the meeting could result in an "official executive resolution" on the matter, as the committee also includes cabinet members, including the secretaries of Justice, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs.

However, they will not be able to make amendments on the existing laws, such as that addressing ammunition found during security checks.

"They are convening this for the purpose of officially putting into form the proper thing that the executive and the judiciary may do in this," Oraa told GMA News.

"Beyond na po ito talaga sa mga taong just doing their jobs -- the screeners and the airport policemen who are enforcing the law. The question here is the law," he added.

"Whatever comes out of this meeting could be a good resource or reference for those who can properly address the concern, which is Congress," Oraa said.

Lawmakers' proposals

On Wednesday, Senator Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo filed a bill in their respective chambers seeking to decriminalize possession of three bullets or less.

Senator Francis Escudero rejected the pending proposals, saying the problem is not about the number of bullets found in a traveler's luggage, but the allegations that there are people who plant ammunition at airports.

The so-called Saturday Group in the House of Representatives -- which are made up of former police and military officials -- has also called for a review of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act in light of the "laglag-bala" controversy.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao said one of the goals of their proposed congressional inquiry is to see if there is a need to revisit [Republic Act 10591 to see "if there is a need to provide for certain measures to accommodate our current situation."

Among the provisions that Pagdilao said could be reviewed is Section 28 of the law, which outlines the penalties for the unlawful acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition.

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, however, believes it will be better if only the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law will be amended, which is a faster process.

The Department of Justice on Wednesday formed a seven-man task force from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the matter.

Lawmakers from both houses of Congress have also filed resolutions calling for an investigation on the alleged extortion scheme. -NB, GMA News