Tolentino says ‘laglag-bala’ a national emergency

TOLENTINO

“‘Laglag-bala’ extortion racket is a national emergency situation.”
This is the strong statement of independent senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino on Monday as he bewailed the slow investigation on the alleged “laglag bala” scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that has victimized OFWs and foreign tourists.

“What is at stake here is our integrity and reputation as a country. This controversy has snowballed and our authorities should act swiftly,” he said.

“Laglag bala” is reportedly an extortion racket perpetrated by airport security wherein bullets are planted in the luggage of local and foreign passengers.

Arrested passengers were reportedly asked to grease airport officials lest they face detention.

“This is a national emergency situation,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the scandal has impacted Philippine tourism negatively.

Earlier, Tolentino called for immediate punitive action against those behind the racket. Tolentino urged the authorities to simultaneously reshuffle the airport officials involved in the modus while investigation is ongoing.

“Para hindi mabigyang kulay, alisin muna lahat ng mga isinasangkot, i-reshuffle muna ang mga nakaassign sa area, ilipat sa ibang paliparan,” said Tolentino in a radio interview.

Furthermore, Tolentino also insisted putting a lot of CCTV cameras around the airport to monitor the movement of all people.

“Tadtarin natin ng CCTV yung loob at labas upang may recording sa mga pangyayari,” added by the former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

For a long term solution, Tolentino insisted that it is high time to amend the Firearms Law.

“Mataas ang 12 years imprisonment para sa nahulihan ng bala e kaya nasasamantala rin. Dapat nang baguhin ang batas,”said Tolentino.

“Dapat maging matigas ang mga awtoridad sa pagpaparusa sa mga may kasalanan pero dapat ding tiyakin na hindi mapapahamak ang mga inosente,” he added.