MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – To the relief of the Aquino administration and the weary traveling public, the extortion scheme known as laglag bala  has finally been put to rest, thanks to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The scheme involves the ‘planting’ of bullets into the bags of airline passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) allegedly by airport personnel for the purpose of extorting money.

Passengers have resorted to wrapping their bags in plastic to prevent being victimized by the schemers.  The plastic wrapping has not solved the problem.

The tough-talking Duterte who many still hope would run for president, is known for his extra judicial ways of dealing with criminals and other bad elements in his city.

Once, Duterte forced a man who violated the no-smoking ordinance in his hometown to swallow his cigarette butt to avoid being put in jail.

Reacting to the laglag bala scheme, Duterte said that if he were president, he would force the schemers to swallow the bullets.

Duterte’s statement gave many passengers a brilliant idea.  Instead of wrapping their bags with plastic, they have been taping a photo of Duterte to their bags, with his warning against the bullet schemers (see photo).

Now, every NAIA passenger is doing the same and boy, did the laglag bala scheme suddenly disappear.

Thanks Mayor Duterte!