Thoughts on the “laglag bala” issue

QUEZON City, Philippines (November 19) – They say “it’s more fun in the Philippines”. Our country is considered as a tropical country, which means that we have wet and dry seasons, and during the wet season, it means that we have to bring our umbrella everywhere, even inside the airport due to the leaks found in the ceiling,ready to greet airline passengers. Of course, the issue of leaky ceilings is small fry compared to what the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is facing now.

The infamous “laglag bala” or “tanim bala” had caused a media field day, widely reported and covered in newspapers, radios and televisions and in the internet as well.  As if it is not enough that the NAIA was once labeled as the “worst airport in the world”.

Gauging the reaction of the public, this “laglag bala” scheme is really a big thing, with passengers obsessively sealing their luggage to ensure that no bullet will be planted. Officials in the NAIA insist that there is no foul play involved in the said event which is really hard to believe, given that 115 people were already victimized by the said modus operandi this year.

And to highlight the impunity of this terrible, terrible scheme, the officials shamelessly ask for money to have said issue resolved. Of course, we only know of the people who refused to pay and aired their complaints and grievances. How many more chose to pay instead to avoid the hassle. Which is really scary when you think about it.

In the meantime, spreading like wildfire all over the web are different tips and strategies that could help you prevent being a victim of the “laglag bala” modus, which includes the now typical packaging of the entire bag, covering of any pockets or zippers to avoid it from being opened, making sure that you take an eye on your luggage every time and if alleged of having an unidentified object inside your bag, don’t let the bag be opened unless a lawyer is present. But above these all, we always have to be alert all the time.

This issue is a very different thing from leaky ceilings of the airport and sometimes one wishes that issue remained as the main problem and not this new development.  This “laglag bala” scheme is something that should be stopped immediately, for this can cause a big trouble for innocent passengers who just want a hassle-free plane flight. Not to mention that there is also the image of our country to consider.

(written by Clark Jason Mangahas, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)