Bongbong Marcos decries alleged ‘bullet planting’ on OFW

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has deplored another incident of alleged “bullet planting” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) involving a Hong Kong-bound Filipino.

Gloria Ortinez was arrested and detained on Oct. 25 after airport authorities claimed that they found a bullet inside her hand-carry bag at the Naia Terminal 2.

The 56-year old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) denied the allegations, saying the bullet did not belong to her.

Ortinez said she was well aware that such item was strictly prohibited, having worked as an OFW for 20 years.

“We have heard of similar incidents before on this modus operandi to extort money from hapless victims and we all thought that with the media attention and investigations conducted, this won’t happen again. That is why this latest incident is disturbing to say the least,” Marcos said.

While Marcos said that strict implementation of security protocols in our airports was necessary, he warned that authorities be careful against the hasty filing of criminal charges against passengers who may be a “victim of a frame up.”

“Because of the allegation against her, Mrs. Ortinez was not able to leave the country and she could lose her job. Worse, she now bears the additional burden of having to defend herself in court and the possibility of spending time in jail. This means she is still on the losing end even if she is eventually cleared of the charges against her,” Marcos said.

“We call our OFWs our modern heroes and this is what they get in return?” the senator added.

Marcos has sent his legal staff to provide assistance to Ortinez, adding that he will await the report of his staff to find out if there is a need to call for a Senate investigation on the incident. Nestor Corrales/RC