‘Extortion tactics’ at Manila airport angers expats

Abdul Hannan Tago

RIYADH: Filipino expats have expressed outrage over reports of an alleged extortion racket at the country’s main airport involving security personnel planting bullets in the baggage of overseas-based citizens and tourists from the US and Japan.
The Riyadh-based Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) said it is initiating a “Zero Remittance” and “No Vote” campaign to halt the “dirty game of get-rich-quick by foul means,” which was allegedly targeting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).
“We, OFWs and our families, should act decisively against the scam that victimizes our fellow OFWs. We need to launch a campaign that will pressure the government to put an end to this extortion racket at the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport),” said M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.
Monterona said that it is the responsibility and duty of the airport authorities and the Aquino administration to ensure the safety and security of passengers. He said the government should fire Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado “so that it can initiate an impartial investigation and corrective measures.”
The allegations prompted the UN to warn its staff of the potential dangers and the government to install extra security cameras at Manila’s airport terminals, particularly the NAIA, according to reports.
Filipino and foreign travelers were reportedly seen wrapping their bags in plastic in Manila. In Japan, a comedy show highlighted the scam in several episodes.
The Philippine government is investigating the incidents. This comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit from Nov. 18 to 19, which will be attended by United States President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A spokeswoman from the Philippine president’s office said that the government would secure airport terminals, not just for APEC delegates but all travelers.
Presidential candidate, Mar Roxas, described the incident as politically motivated and aimed at marring the administration’s image. “If you bring an illegal item into the country, how can you charge the government,” he reportedly said.