NBI files charges vs 'laglag-bala' perpetrators

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday filed criminal charges against two personnel from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) and four members of the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group for their involvement in the "laglag-bala" or bullet planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Department of Justice confirmed that there were instances that the extortion scheme were perpetrated by OTS personnel.

DOJ Spokesperson Emmanuel Caparas said in a press conference that the NBI went through documents, data and interviewed all stakeholders in the laglag-bala cases.

Caparas clarified that the NBI cannot confirm yet if there is a syndicate behind the bullet planting scheme.

The DOJ official said that the group working behind the scheme is not big enough to be considered a syndicate.

The scheme involves the planting of bullets in unsuspecting passengers. Airport officials ask victims for money to avoid detention.

President Benigno Aquino III, however, insisted that the bullet planting issue has been "sensationalized."

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