Miriam seeks higher penalty vs 'laglag-bala' culprits
MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Friday urged her colleagues in the Senate to deter airport personnel from engaging in the "laglag-bala" or bullet-planting scheme.
The senator is set to file a bill that seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The resolution increases the penalty against planting evidence, if committed by a private individual.
A person found guilty of inserting, placing or attaching a bullet or a firearm with the intent of incriminating another, may be punished by imprisonment for up to 20 years.
"The government must send a clear message to these airport syndicates that it will not tolerate these criminal activities and will prosecute those who plant evidence with as much zeal as it pursues those who smuggle firearms and ammunition," Santiago said.
Proposed amendments to RA 10591 include decriminalizing possession of not more than three bullets.
Santiago noted that bullet-planting operations may still persist even with the proposed amendments by increasing the number of ammunition planted.
"The law must punish those who, in the guise of upholding peace and order, abuse the law to prey on the innocent, whether these offenders are public officers or private citizens," the senator.
According to a statement, Santiago based her proposal on the observation that the planting scheme starts as soon as a person is identified to be a passenger whose luggage is yet to be inspected. Porters, luggage handlers and taxi drivers are believed to be involved in the scam.
The current penalty for planting evidence is prision mayor or imprisonment for six years and one day to 12 years. However, the penalty for a public official or employee found guilty for the said offense is reclusion perpetua or imprisonment for 20 years and one day to 40 years.
On Thursday, supposed victims of the bullet planting extortion scheme narrated how security officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport demanded money in exchange of dropping charges for possession of a bullet.
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