DOLE SECRETARY BELLO: Stop Collecting Terminal Fee and Travel Tax from OFWs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is asking airline companies particularly the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to implement the exemption of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in paying travel tax and terminal fee.

LOOK: Department of Labor and Employment pushes for the exemption of OFWs from travel tax, terminal fees or reimburse if any@DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/cTQRZQR0im

— Dexter Joie Ganibe (@dzmmRP45) March 3, 2017

In his letter to Captain Jim C Sydiongco, director general of CAAP, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, reiterated that OFWs should be exempted in paying travel tax and terminal fee pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1183, Republic Act 8042 or Migrant Workers Act and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act 10022.

In the same letter, the DOLE chief said that the travel tax and the terminal fee are incorporated in the cost of plane tickets issued to OFWs.

Bello is asking Sydiongco to make a necessary representation of his office to concerned government offices in different airport terminals to cease and desist from collecting travel tax and terminal fees on OFWs.

Bello said, while some OFWs are refunded with these travel tax and fees at the airport before departure, most of them are not refunded with the same due to lack of awareness or lack of material time to process their claim for refund in the airport.

DOLE is also requesting CAAP to transfer the travel tax and fees collected from OFWs which were not refunded to them to Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA).

On his separate letter to DOLE, Undersecretary Dominador Say, Bello instructed the official to coordinate with CAAP for an automatic mechanism to take effect the exemption of OFWs from paying travel tax and terminal fees, along with the immediate reimbursement of such fees past due to OFWs.

FULL COPY OF THE LETTER HERE

©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO

How OFWS Can Avail Exemption For TRAVEL TAX and TERMINAL FEE?

Read also: How To Update BM ONLINE Account And Get OEC EXEMPTION


With the changes that took place giving exemptions to many OFWs from paying OEC starting September 15, 2016, many Filipino migrant workers are asking how they could avail FREE TRAVEL TAX and FREE TERMINAL FEE?  Previously, OFWs have to present OEC in order to be exempted from paying travel tax and terminal fee. 

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Overseas Filipino workers who are exempted from paying OEC can still avail FREE TRAVEL TAX and TERMINAL FEE EXEMPTION by following and presenting documents that will prove that they are OFWs. 


How to Get Exemption For TRAVEL TAX and TERMINAL FEE? 

On the departure day, overseas workers who are exempted from OEC payment will have to follow the procedure below to get FREE travel tax and be exempted from paying terminal fee.

FOR TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION: 

1. Proceed to the airline counter at the airport for check-in.

2. At the immigration counter, present the 

• passport  

• and valid work visa or work permit.

 It is important that the document shows the employer name and jobsite. 

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TO GET EXEMPTION FOR TERMINAL FEE, the OFW must present ANY of the following as proof of overseas employment:

a. Valid work visa/ work permit

b. Valid employment contract 

c. current employment certificate 

d. Valid company ID 

e. Recent pay slip

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©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

Good News! President Duterte Orders end of Tanim-Bala, No Arrest if Caught in the Airport with Only Bullets!

Good News! President Duterte Orders end of Tanim-Bala, No Arrest if Caught in the Airport with Only Bullets!

President Duterte orders the Office of Transportation Security or the OTS to put an end to the bullet-planting modus that victimize the passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, including tourist and expats or balikbayan as well as OFWs.

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Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca, the new director of the police Aviation Security Group (AVSEgroup), said Thursday that travelers would not be detained or charged in court if an ammunition is confiscated from them, as per  President Duterte's order.


Aplasca mentioned in this video that the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the transportation department will form a joint team that will conduct regular security planning for airports. With this order from Duterte, , he said that the tanim-bala is just a thing of the past.

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WATCH ALSO:

There was an experienced last month in the afternoon at NAIA Terminal 1, the X-ray scan detected a live bullet and two empty shells inside the check-in luggage of a departing OFW, OTS called the attention of the OFW, asked him to view his luggage and asked the OFW to remove the bullet from his luggage and proceed to the Middle East.

GOOD NEWS IF FOUND WITH A BULLET AT THE AIRPORT - YOU WILL NOT BE ARRESTED OR FILED A CASE WITH!

THIS IS HOW YOU COULD BE A VICTIM OF TANIM-BALA IN A SPLIT SECONDS (TAGALOG POST)
Read More:






Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the destination for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income.
©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

LAGLAG-BALA O TANIM-BALA IS BACK AT NAIA AIRPORT AND THE LATEST VICTIM is 78 and 74 YEARS OLD COUPLE!

No, its not old news, it is as fresh as the lumpia you are eating. Tatay Esteban and Nanay Salvacion Cortabista, age 78 and 74 years old is the newest victim of TANIM-BALA at the NAIA Airport today April 19, 2016!

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The two senior citizen couple and Nanay Salvacion was already at the wheel chair was found having the live bullet at the second X-ray at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1 as they pass through the scanners on their way to their flight to Los Angeles, California.

SEE ALSO
How to Avoid Tanim-Bala Scam and Extortion at NAIA

The couple was surprised to learn that a live ammunition was found in their baggage. They denied owning the ammunition.

"Dalawang beses na po kami bumibiyahe sa America at alam na alam po namin na bawal ang mag-dala ng bala. Eh bakit naman po kami magdadala ng bala?"  ''Dumaan po kami sa unang X-ray eh wala naman pong nakita. Eh bakit dito po eh biglang may nakitang bala sa bag ni misis?" "Mga ordinaryo lang po kaming magsasaka sa Boso Boso, Antipolo. Wala naman po kaming pera. Bakit kami naman po ang bibiktimahin ng tanim-bala dito sa airport?" Esteban and Salvacion told ABS-CBN News.
Lawyer Tips If You are Victimized 
By Tanim-Bala

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

IS THIS TRUE? DID THE AIRPORT PERSONNEL'S REALLY TOOK SOMETHING FROM PASSENGER'S BAG?

This video was taken raw by an unidentified individuals and the caption says that airport personnel's are opening baggage's of passengers. We cannot verify if the claim was right, so it's for you to decide. We thought, maybe those are names of passengers of that flight - something like, FLIGHT MANIFEST. 
What do you think?

Hulicam! Mga tauhan ng NAIA binubuksan ang mga gamit ng pasahero.. Kailangan kumalat ito!! SHARE natin para maaksyunan ng kinauukulan!!Credit: Matalinong MatsingPls. Like Para sa'yo 'to hopia Like it

Posted by Tambayan ni Berto on Tuesday, December 15, 2015

We cannot blame people being wary or suspecting of their baggage's with several incidents where OFWs and passenger's complained that they had been victim of bukas-bagahe or theft and robbery inside the airport  

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Michael White Case Junked; He Filed Charges to 2 OTS and 4 Police Officer

Pasay court  junked the case filed against Lane Michael White who was arrested last September for  alleged illegal possession of ammunition at the NAIA. The decision was signed by Judge Pedro Gutierrez on Thursday afternoon.

White claims to be a victim tanim-bala and his father believes there is an organized syndicate at the airport. 

Suggested Article: Watch video footage submitted by Michael White on what happened  during the screening procedure of luggage at NAIA HERE

Meanwhile the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will also file robbery-extortion complaint against members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) for their alleged involvement in the “tanim-bala” or bullet planting racket inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

On behalf of White, the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the National Bureau of Investigation also filed the following charges to these OTS Personnel and Police Officers :

CASE Filed: Robbery/extortion; violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 7438 (An Act Defining Certain Rights of Person Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation and Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers) and RA No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); 

Maria Elena Cena -Office for Transportation Security (OTS)
Marvin Garcia - Office for Transportation Security (OTS)

The following Police Officers will also be charged with Violations of Article V, Section 38 (Liability for Planting Evidence) of RA No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act); robbery/extortion; and violations of RA No. 7438 and RA No. 3019:

SPO2 Rolando A. Clarin, 

 P/CINSP Adriano Junio, 

SPO4 Ramon Bernardo, and 

SPO2 Romy Navarro of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP).

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Woman In NAIA Terminal 3 Caught With 1 Kilo of Shabu

A woman was caught with 1 kilo of shabu at NAIA Terminal 3. During the screening in x-ray machine, the OTS personnel noticed something on her luggage so he called PDEA agent with k9 to sniff the luggage.

 During the process the k9 dog gave positive reaction. 

The woman is now under the custody of PDEA as well as the drugs and evidences. 

She will also be facing charges based on Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act. 

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

NBI Report Confirmed Modus of Tanim-Bala/Laglag-Bala at NAIA But it is Not a Syndicate

NBI confirmed in their report that there is a modus of tanim-bala inside the NAIA airport but it is not syndicate. They also believe there are police and some officers involve in the modus. They will submit their report to the DOJ. Watch the video below. 

Via Inquirer News
"The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday will file robbery-extortion complaint against members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) for their alleged involvement in the “tanim-bala” or bullet planting racket inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia)."

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

NAIA SECURITY A CONCERN BECAUSE OF TANIM-BALA INVESTIGATION

Some NAIA security group and screening officers are being relieved for investigation of tanim-bala modus, the lack of personnel is a concern on how to maintain airport safety and security. New personnel are still being trained for the job.

They also started lifestyle check among their ranks.But it should have been better if the lifestyle check are conducted by independent agency.

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

NAIA Theft vs. Baggage Handler Stole Toothbrush from Passenger in Dubai.

In a report

"A baggage handler at Dubai airport has been sentenced to three months in jail for stealing a toothbrush from a passenger’s luggage. Dubai Court of First Instance heard the Pakistani also took an Apple iPhone charger as he loaded bags on to a plane at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. The 24-year-old was spotted taking the items by a security guard, who confronted the worker shortly after the theft on May 1.

The baggage handler was later arrested and put on trial accused of theft. In court, he told Judge Mohammed Jamal he had been hungry and opened a passenger’s bag looking for food. He said: “I opened some bags searching for snacks or sweets. I found the toothbrush and the charger and took them instead.” Prosecutors said an Emirati security officer, aged 30, tasked with monitoring CCTV footage spotted the handler acting suspicious. He said: “I saw him open a passenger’s bag and steal something before loading it on the airplane. “


At first he denied opening the bags and stealing but later he took a toothbrush and phone charger from his pocket. We called Dubai Police, who came and arrested him.” During the investigation, the accused said he would open passengers’ bags to steal anything he could find."
Source here

Compare that to the baggage handlers caight with evidence at the NAIA Airport

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

VIDEO: IF CAUGHT WITH BULLET AT NAIA, WITHIN ATLEAST 6 HOURS, YOU'LL BE RELEASED.

There is a new and faster process when you are apprehended with bullet after passing the NAIA screening area. First, there are security booths where you can inspect your baggages before passing through the screening area.

If you are still found with bullet while passing through screening machine.
1. You will be investigated. 
2. The bullet/bullets will be analyzed if it is live or amulets by the PNP ballistic team.
3. If bullets are live, the PNP Aviation and Security will file a against you.
4. Public Attorney's Office are on-call 24/7 to assess you.
5. A fiscal will decide if you have intent or no bad intent to possess the bullet in at least 6 hours.

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

VIDEO:NBI TRIED OTS, NAIA SCREENING XRAYS DIDN'T DETECT THE BULLET

 NBI tried to pass the screening XRays at NAIA with a concealed bullet, but NAIA Screening Officers didn't detect it, nor the screening monitors and metal detector. Watch the video from the Reporter's Notebook here.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3dgmpy_reporter-s-notebook-november-12-2015-full-replay_tv
Posted by Chill Out Pinas on Thursday, November 12, 2015

 NBI tried to pass the screening XRays at NAIA with a concealed bullet, but NAIA Screening Officers didn't detect it, nor the screening monitors and metal detector. Watch the video from the Reporter's Notebook here.

Reporter's Notebook November 12 2015 Full Replay by day2daily

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

4 NAIA POLICE WHO TRIED TO EXTORT FROM THE AMERICAN LANE MICHAEL WHITE, ONLY RELIEVED?

via ABS-CBN NEWS

"On September 16, the family went to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 and had already boarded the plane to Coron when the flight was delayed. Due to flight restrictions, the airline had to rebook the flight the next day while having the passengers stay at a hotel.

The next day, the family again went to NAIA Terminal 4 to take the same flight. It was during the x-ray screening that airport screeners Maria Elma Cena and Marvin Garcia said they saw something in White's bag.

Zoleta said White's bag went through the x-ray a total of 7 times. She said she offered to help but Cena told them to stand back.

Zoleta said Cena had already checked the outer flap of White's bag the first couple of times but found nothing. A video taken by Zoleta of the screening also showed that Cena put her hand inside the outer flap of White's bag. It was only afterwards that a bullet was found inside the outer flap of the bag.

The airport screeners then accused White of bringing a live bullet to the airport.

Zoleta said she asked the airport screeners if they needed to rebook their flight since the plane was leaving in 15 minutes. However, she said Cena told her that they had enough time.

"They didn't tell us to rebook our flight because they would put my son in jail," she said.

Zoleta said Cena was surprised that they already had boarding passes since they had already checked in the day before.

A certain SPO2 Rolando Clarin also threatened to fine Zoleta after discovering that she had taken a video.

Clarin also told Zoleta: "E ayaw pa aminin ng anak mo e. Bakit di mo na lang paamin sa anak mo?

White, however, said the luggage was his but not the bullet. He also told senators that Clarin asked for 30,000 pesos to make the case go away.

Zoleta claimed a certain PNP officer Junio asked her to pay 30,000 pesos so that no charge will be filed. She claimed Junio told her the price would go up to 80,000 pesos if the case reached headquarters.

Zoleta, however, pointed out that her husband is a preacher and had no income while her stepson had just resigned his job.

The stepmom said the last person to pressure her was a certain PNP officer Navarro at the investigation desk at NAIA Terminal 1.

She said Navarro told her: "Ituluyan mo na yang anak mo. Foreigner ang anak mo. Dito sa Pilipinas, kawawa ang buhay nyan. Maru-ruin ang buhay niyan. Kung ako sa iyo, tulungan mo na."

Zoleta said she was shocked that the police officer would say that her stepson's life would be ruined.

Because of their refusal to pay a bribe, White was fingerprinted by the police ahead of the filing of the complaint for carrying live ammunition."

read the rest here

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

NAIA's SOLUTION TO TANIM-BALA: TRASH BINS and with AUDIO VIDEO CCTV's in INTERROGATION ROOMS.

"To avoid incidents such as "tanim bala" (bullet planting), airport authorities will soon put up final check disposal booths where passengers can throw away prohibited items before they go through X-ray screening.

But unlike usual trash bins inside airports, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) plans to put up these special bins outside the terminal where passengers line up.

MIAA spokesperson Dave de Castro said on Friday (November 13) that airport authorities were looking at two to three of these booths at every Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal, and each booth would be enclosed for passenger privacy.

"We will not be questioning passengers after they drop certain items," De Castro said.

Passengers can enter the booth one at a time, and once they throw away the item, it can no longer be recovered." 

Read more Via CNN PHILIPPINES

After passing through this booths, if you are found with bullet still in your baggage, you will be brought to INTERROGATION ROOMS

video will only be viewable by laptop and desktop. 
Watch video!

try this mobile video below

Interrogation rooms

via Inquirer News: “Another innovation is the setup at Naia of interrogation rooms with full audio and video recording so everything that is happening inside is transparent,” Guerzon told the Inquirer.

The rooms will be placed past the initial X-ray scanners so when a bullet is still found in a passenger’s baggage, even after all the reminders and the last look booths, the security cameras can prevent any “shady transaction.”

“Everything will be recorded so we can prevent any possible extortion activity from happening. It will also discourage a bullet-carrier from making false claims or trying to bribe law enforcement agents,” he pointed out.

All these, Guerzon said, might be in place by next week in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit."

Is this the solution of NAIA to the tanim-bala scams and will this be effective?

On the other hand, OWWA issued this advisory to all OFWs 

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO