Category Archives: Law Enforcement

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Travel

PHILIPPINES TO IMPORT 500 TONS OF PLASTIC WRAP TO KEEP UP WITH HIGH DEMAND AT MANILA’S AIRPORT

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The government of Philippines President NoyNoy Aquino has confirmed that it will be importing 500 tons (one million pounds) of plastic wrap from various international sources to keep up with increasing demand for the product at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( NAIA).

NAIA has been in the headlines recently because of a scheme called laglag bala or tanim bala in which incoming and outgoing passengers at are being questioned and detained for bullets found in their luggage as they pass through airport security. It is alleged that the bullets are being planted by airport personnel with the intent of extorting money from the unsuspecting passengers.

Passengers have resorted to wrapping their checked-in and carry-on luggage with plastic as a way of securing them from airport schemers. image

Some 33 Million passengers go through NAIA each year.  With such high volume of passengers, local manufacturers of plastic wrap just can’t keep up with the increased demand.

Plastic wrap imports from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan are expected to start arriving in the next two weeks, just in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Meeting to be held in Manila.

Government, International, Law Enforcement, Travel

STATE DEPARTMENT ADVISES OBAMA TO WRAP HIS BRIEFCASE WHEN HE VISITS THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APEC SUMMIT

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imageWASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) –  U.S. President Barack Obama is just one of the many dignitaries confirmed to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be held this month in Manila, Philippines.

Recent  developments at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have sent chills to the international community and has prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a travel advisory to Americans traveling to the Philippines, including Obama.

NAIA has been in the headlines recently because of a scheme called laglag bala  or tanim bala in which incoming and outgoing passengers at NAIA are being detained for bullets found in their luggage as they pass through airport security.  It is alleged that the bullets are being planted by airport personnel with the intent of extorting money from the unsuspecting passengers.

Obama is known to want to carry his own overnight bag and briefcase whenever he travels to other countries.

The State Department has therefore advised Obama to wrap his briefcase with plastic when he arrives in and departs from Manila so that he is not victimized by the laglag bala schemers.

Many passengers flying in and out of NAIA have resorted to wrapping their luggage and carry-on bags with plastic to prevent the schemers from planting bullets without their knowledge.

Government, Law Enforcement, Travel

NUMBER CODING TO BE REPLACED WITH LETTER CODING TO EASE METRO MANILA TRAFFIC

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Just in time for the holidays, the number coding for vehicles plying Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares will be suspended and replaced with letter coding, a move that officials are confident will finally solve the nightmarish traffic in the metroplis.

The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding scheme implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is a huge headache for any car owner. Depending on the circumstances, this rule can mean a day of no commuting for people or families who own only one car.

In a nutshell, this rule prevents car owners from driving in some parts of Metro Manila depending on the last number of their vehicle’s number plate. Those ending in 1 and 2 are not allowed to travel on Monday; 3 and 4 on Tuesday; 5 and 6 on Wednesday; 7 and 8 on Thursday; and 9 and 0 on Friday.

The new letter scheme, a brainchild of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, works this way:

  • Each registered vehicle will be given a letter sticker to be displayed on the front and rear windows
  • Those with the letters A-G are not allowed to travel on Monday; H-P on Tuesday; Q-V on Wednesday; and W, X, Y and Z on Thursday.
  • Friday is a free for all — all vehicles will be allowed regardless of assigned letter
  • Motorcyles, tricylces and horse-driven carriages (kalesa) are exemptd from letter coding

The new traffic regulations will go into effect on December 1 this year, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Motor vehicle drivers are advised to bring their vehicle registrations to their nearest Land Transportation Office  (LTO) to receive their assigned letter stickers.