After a string of cases of bullets being found in travellers' luggage at the international airport in Manila, Philippine authorities have stepped in to investigate the possible scam.
The complaints allege that the bullets are being placed in bags by security officials, who then "discover" them and ask them to pay a fine -- or be charged with illegal possession of ammunition.
Last week, a 53-year-old Japanese tourist was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) when two bullets were found in his bag. Just before that, a domestic worker from the Philippines heading to Hong Kong was detained at NAIA when a Carbine rifle bullet was found in her hand carry bag.
The BBC quoted Sherwin Gatchalian, vice-chairman of the tourism committee in the House of Representatives, as saying: "This is becoming an international embarrassment."
Reports say airport management has stepped up surveillance following the complaints.
Philippines Sen. Ralph Recto also called for an investigation into the "laglag bala" scams during a Senate hearing last weekend, saying the airport authorities have "failed to curb the abuses on their own."
Filipinos have expressed their outrage at the alleged scam, and have warned friends that they should take various precautions, from wrapping their luggage to being vigilant when officers are handling their bags.
Also to foreign friends when going to Manila: be aware of the recent modus "tanim bala" (bullet dropping) in your luggage. Be cautious!— m (*´◡`*) (@silentdictators) October 29, 2015
OBVIOUSLY, if a bullet is in their luggage...they wld have already been discovered at the AIRPORT OF ORIGIN. #AngKAPALnyoNAIA #STUPID— ayezcandy (@ayezcandy) October 29, 2015
Goin back to pinas in a few hours. Sooo paranoid over the bullet issue. — (@maan_credo) Oct 30 2015
Such police logic. Very wow. Who would even bring just one bullet? Wtf— (@DCbarongan) Oct 29 2015
This passenger wondered if she should wrap her luggage in plastic, too:
Nabuang na! Ibalot na kng nato plastic ato luggage. http://fb.me/5Az14X5nJ— (@cutieting) Oct 29 2015
Some are making jokes online to express their frustration at the situation:
Like people said, they have the "best bullet detection technology" — (@jose_olegs) Oct 29 2015
#NAIAairport world's worst airport na nga world's best bullet dectecting facility pa! #failippines. #kawawangBansa— (@ped_roso) Oct 29 2015