Letter to the Editor
THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), already rated as the “world’s worst airport,” can now add “world’s best bullet detector” among its many fiascos.
Migrante condemn in strongest terms the injustice, inconvenience and impunity hounding Naia as another overseas Filipino worker (OFW) fell victim to the notorious “tanim bala” extortion scheme.
Gloria Ortinez, an OFW from Hong Kong, was blocked from leaving the country by the National Police Aviation-Security Group after staff from the Office for Transportation Security in Naia Terminal 2 claimed that they found a single carbine bullet in her hand carry.
Ortinez has been a domestic worker in Hong Kong for 26 years and has not had any problems with her luggage during her many trips to and from the country. She claimed that she had been victimized by “tanim bala” when OTS personnel allegedly planted the bullet as her hand carry went through the Xay machine.
Before Ortinez, another OFW, in a Facebook post that had gone viral, claimed that she had been victimized by “tanim bala” and got away only after she paid off some Naia personnel. A Japanese was also victimized at the same time as Ortinez. He was charged with illegal possession of ammunition at the Pasay prosecutor’s office on Monday. He posted P80,000 bail.
Ortinez was detained because she had no money for bail. As of this posting, she has reportedly been released and allowed to return to Hong Kong.
Last month, another OFW has claimed that her luggage was stolen by OTS personnel when it went through the X-Ray machine. The Naia management has denied all allegations, and in the case of Ortinez, even defended the actions of its personnel.
It is much too fantastic and too much of a coincidence for victims to be “biting the bullet” one after another while this very obvious and blatant extortion scheme continues with impunity. We have reason to believe that all players – from lowly porters, to OTS personnel, to transportation security, to the PNP – are all part of the modus operandi.
Naia has become a “lucrative business” for syndicates such as “tanim bala,” and even for agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, for ceaselessly imposing or coming up with schemes that aim to tax and extort from OFWs.
Tighter security and customs policies should not be directed at OFWs. It is very worrisome and sad because now OFWs are thinking twice about going home for the holidays out of fear of being victimized.
Migrante Partylist in Hong Kong is set to welcome Ortinez with a protest action on her behalf at Chater Road, Central on Sunday.
Our message to our kababayans, let us continue to be vigilant. Let us remember that elections is coming. Come May 2016, let our ballots be stronger than their bullets. Enough of this extortion. Enough of illegal and onerous taxation schemes. —Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrate
‘Foul’
THE actuations of one broadcaster on the decision of the KBP against one Dodo Canoy is a slap on the face of the organization itself.
The KBP is supposed to be policing its own ranks but its officers may either be too busy minding their own business or are too lazy to even listen to some radio commentaries such that they are not doing anything to curb the malpractice.
On local radio in the morning of Oct. 28, he discussed, although with questions on personal, business or even trash ethics, the suspension meted on Mr. Canoy.
To top it, and to the add puke-able color, taste or sight to the circus is a lawyer with his acting-innocent discussion of trash.
The KBP is supposed to be the foremost broadcast media organization in the country, composed of owners and operators of, and the radio stations themselves. It was organized to elevate professional and ethical standards in Philippine broadcasting, promote social responsibility in broadcasting, work for the advancement of the broadcast industry and protect the rights and interests of broadcasters, among other purposes. It aims to achieve its aims and purposes through the enforcement of a code of conduct for broadcast stations.
Has the KBP, through its local chapter, upheld this in the case of Mr. Canoy? I have not heard the commentaries of Mr. Canoy but I did those of the other broadcaster, and that is why I can say with firmness how foul his commentaries are.
And he is seeking public office? Oh, my God! ––Peter Clarete, peterclarete@gmail. com
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