‘Watching the watchers’ Naia fix vs ‘laglag-bala’ rap

AVIATION officials are thinking of a way to protect airport security screening officers from passengers’ accusations of theft or extortion through the “planting” of bullets in their suitcases.

Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) director Chief Supt. Pablo Francisco Balagtas said they were considering installing security cameras focused solely on x-ray scanners from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS).

The OTS is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Recently, several airline passengers have accused some of its personnel of stealing their belongings and extorting money from them after planting bullets in their luggage. The incidents, which came to be known as “laglag-bala,” prompted the DOTC to relieve the personnel concerned pending the results of an investigation into the complaints.

Balagtas told the Inquirer that when he spoke recently with OTS officials, he suggested that the security screening of all passengers in airports nationwide, particularly the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, be fully documented.

“Fully documenting the security screening of passengers at the airport would protect the OTS personnel from accusations of tampering with the baggage and assure passengers that they will not be victimized by unscrupulous persons,” he said.

He also advised OTS personnel to take pictures of the x-ray scanner monitor using their cell phones once they detect prohibited items, particularly bullets, inside a passenger’s baggage.

“Before opening the baggage suspected of having a contraband item, the OTS security screener should make sure that a member of the Avsegroup and the owner of the luggage are present. The baggage should also always be searched in full view of the passenger,” Balagtas said.

He pointed out, however, that installing a closed circuit television camera trained on the x-ray scanners would surely eliminate illegal practices.