'Laglag-bala' modus reaches Fox News

MANILA, Philippines - The bullet planting scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has made it to a primetime show of the United States’ leading news channel.

The issue was tackled by Greta van Susteren, host of the Fox News program “On the Record,” last November 4 amid outrage in the Philippines over the extortion scheme that reportedly targets tourists and migrant workers.

In the segment “Off the Record,” Susteren said an American friend of Filipino descent had warned her of the scheme after being informed that the television host is travelling overseas next week.

The television commentator then cited reports about the supposed planting of bullets in the luggage of travelers to extort money from them.

“There are reports that at the Manila international airport, international travelers, as many as 30 in the last 12 months, five of those in just the last two weeks are being targeted by Filipino airport security officials who plant live ammunition in their luggage and then bust the international traveler for having bullets in his bag,” Susteren said.

She said some passengers were even held for days and were told that they can pay a fine “or sit in the slammer facing charges.”

“The airport bullet scam is so well-known it even has a name laglag bala,” Susteren said.

“Yes, I know what you’re thinking. What is wrong with some people? My answer: I just don’t know,” she added.

Susteren, a former criminal defense and civil trial lawyer who used to be a legal analyst of Fox News rival CNN, also wrote about the scam in her Facebook page.

“The Philippines may get mad at me, but this airport bullet planting scam deserves to be called out!” she said in her post.

Facebook users who replied to the post assured Susteren that nobody will be mad at her for talking about the scam. Some even encouraged the Fox News host to continue discussing the issue even if it is embarrassing to Filipinos.

The bullet planting scam made headlines as the Philippines is preparing to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this month. At least 20 world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have confirmed their attendance to the event.

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered an investigation of the scandal, which has been described by some supporters of the administration as an effort to discredit the government.  

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya earlier claimed that the bullet planting issue has been “blown out or proportion,” saying only 1,510 people or 0.004 percent of the 32.4 million passengers who passed through the terminals of NAIA have been caught bringing bullets.

Aside from Fox News, foreign news organizations that have reported about the bullet scam include BBC, CNN and Time.