Laoag Airport men probed over ‘Laglagbala’ scam

LAOAG CITY – Authorities are probing if airport personnel here are involved in the “Laglag Bala” scam wherein bullets are discreetly placed by workers in passengers’ belongings and are later demanded by the latter to pay them money or they would have them arrested for violation of gun laws.  

This, after workers found bullets for a Cal.22 pistol in separate incidents at the passenger’s terminal of the Laoag International Airport, sources said Monday.

Citing a report submitted to the CAAP and the CAAP Security and Intelligence Services (CSIS), sources said the bullets were found on Feb. 6 and 7 this year.               

The report, which was submitted on Feb. 8, said the first bullet was found at about 8 a.m. by two building personnel under a seat at the pre-departure area.

The second bullet was found the following day at around 1:05 p.m. in the women’s restroom at the check-in area.

The bullets were submitted to the CSIS for investigation.

Sources said similar incidents are happening in other airports in the country, but were not immediately reported to the media.

The issue came out recently when a balikbayan posted on social media complaining that she was victimized by the “laglag-bala” scam involving some workers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

The victim accused some personnel tasked to inspect the passengers’ luggage of planting bullets in her baggage.

She said personnel told her to give P500 so she would no longer be held for questioning.