The Vietnamese ambassador to the Philippines has warned Vietnamese people of reports that many travelers have fallen victim to an extortion scam in which staff at Philippine airports stuff ammunition into their luggage to demand money.
Ambassador Truong Trieu Duong gave the warning while talking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on the phone on Tuesday.
Taking advantage of the Philippines’ strict regulations on weapon and ammunition control, staff at a number of Philippine airports allegedly put cartridges into passengers’ luggage stealthily and then asked them to pay money in return for the exemption from the charge of illegal ammunition possession, the diplomat said.
The ambassador advised Vietnamese citizens to be vigilant against that trick when they travel to the Philippines.
He also confirmed that a Vietnamese businesswoman was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on Saturday after a bullet was found in her baggage.
The Vietnamese embassy in the Philippines is working with local authorities to clarify the case, Ambassador Duong said.
If the businesswoman is proven to violate the Philippine law, the embassy will propose that officials treat her kindly and give her the slightest possible penalty, he added.
The embassy will arrange for her to be defended by a lawyer if she is brought to court, the diplomat said, adding that the diplomatic agency will try its best to protect her legitimate rights and interests.
Manila Times on Tuesday reported that two more women had been detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after cartridges were found in their handbags.
According to Channel NewsAsia, “several travelers are said to have been targets of an extortion scam involving security staff planting bullets in their luggage” at that airport.
The travelers were then asked to pay a small fee to the staff in exchange for their overlooking as it is illegal in the Philippines to possess live ammunition, according to Channel NewsAsia.
In some cases, passengers have had to pay between US$10 and $640 as bribes to security staff, the news website said.
Meanwhile, Phil Star on Tuesday reported that twelve individuals that had been detained at the same airport for possessing bullets have been ordered to be released by prosecutors.
“In separate resolutions obtained from the Department of Justice yesterday, Pasay City Prosecutor Nolasco Fernandez Jr. ordered the release of the 12 for lack of [a] probable cause,” according to Phil Star.
A seven-member task force from the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, Manila Times reported on Monday.
The newswire quoted the bureau’s deputy director, Edwards Villarta, as saying that investigation will also cover all airports in the country, not just Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Updated information about the investigation may be available next week, Manila Times quoted Villarta as saying.
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