The Department of Labor and Employment on Wednesday assured the safety and protection of departing overseas Filipino workers from “tanim bala” or bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that the DoLE and other concerned government agencies agreed to protect OFWs from the “bullet planting” by immediately extending legal assistance to the victims perpetrated by unscrupulous persons at the airport.
“Several steps have been taken by the Inter-Agency Committee [IAC] to make sure that proper and immediate assistance will be provided to OFWs who will be apprehended for alleged possession of ammunitions or bullets at Philippine international airports,” Baldoz said.
Labor Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III met with the officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Justice, Manila International Airport Authority, Office for Transportation Security, Aviation Security Group, National Prosecution Service and the Public Attorney’s Office to layout a groundwork that would protect and assist an OFW who may fall victim to “laglag bala” syndicate.
Baldoz said the IAC will make coordination on the investigation of OFWs who were allegedly in possession of ammunitions or bullets in any international airports in the country.
She said if an OFW was caught with a bullet in his/her possession, the OTS shall immediately inform the POEA, OWWA-Repatriation and Assistance Division and will require the OFW to produce an Overseas Employment Certificate.
“The luggage of a female OFW shall be inspected by a female OTS officer in the presence of OWWA/POEA/PAO representative. In no way shall further inspection be conducted in an isolated room,” she said.
The PAO, on the other hand, agreed to provide immediate legal assistance to the OFW who is being held for custodial investigation.
Alleged victims of the extortion scheme were found to have bullets inside their luggage, prompting airport officials to apprehend them or take them in for questioning.
The National Bureau of Investigation confirmed the existence of “tanim-bala” modus operandi after it filed robbery-extortion against members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group and OTS personnel for their alleged involvement in the “tanim-bala” racket inside the NAIA.