ABU DHABI // Filipino expatriates travelling out through Manila’s airport have been declared bullet-proof against scamming terminal workers.
Workers at Ninoy Aquino International have become notorious for planting bullets in travellers’ luggage as they pass through security, then telling them to pay up to 30,000 pesos (Dh2,340) to avoid charges of illegally possessing ammunition and being barred from their flights.
But hardline new Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered airport authorities not to arrest passengers found with bullets in their bags.
With about 30 cases of “bullet-planting” recorded from January to November last year, many travellers now wrap their luggage in plastic.
“When my wife travelled home for Christmas last year we were really worried,” said Clent Malarejes, 29, a mechanical engineer in Abu Dhabi.
“We secured her all her bags in plastic when she checked in at the Abu Dhabi terminal.”
Mr Malarejes, who is due to fly home on Thursday, said Mr Duterte’s orders had allayed his fears. “I think Duterte will ensure the government will put an end to the extortion scam.”
Venice Espedillon, 22, a clerk in Abu Dhabi, said: “Imagine the amount of stress the victims had to endure last year.”
“Passengers will no longer worry about missing their flight or fear being arrested at the airport,” Ms Espedillon said.
Under the new policy, travellers found with ammunition will be profiled immediately to clear them of links to terrorist or criminal groups, and of criminal intent in carrying bullets.
“But we should still be wary of baggage theft at the airport,” said Ms Espedillon, who secures her luggage with locks. “We still need to keep our luggage safe and avoid carry-on bags with too many outside pockets.”
Nelson Malijan, 39, an oil and gas operator in Ruwais, said passengers should still be wary of syndicates at the airport.
“I’m not really sure if we’re going to be safe,” he said. “We’ll have to wait and see. For now, I think they need to install many CCTVs at our airports.”
This past weekend, new transport secretary Arthur Tugade promised full CCTV coverage, free Wi-Fi and better waiting areas at Ninoy Aquino international airport.
rruiz@thenational.ae
