Travel Warning for the Philippines-Airport Security in the Philippines Have Been Putting LIVE BULLETS in Foreigner's Luggage

Disturbing reports out of the Philippines about an airport scam perpetrated by security personnel against foreigners who are travelling in and out of Manila. According to Time Magazine, airport workers are putting LIVE BULLETS into passenger's luggage, and then arresting them if they do not pay outrageous bribes. In many cases, the traveller has been arrested and jailed awaiting trial. 

Apparently the situation is so bad that the famous Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao, has offered free legal help to those who have been targeted. But it is too late to help many of these travellers, possibly hundreds or even thousands who have already been scammed and arrested by corrupt police and airport security. Many of the victims have been arrested, charged with felonies, and spent days in jail until they pay additional fines. 

Foreigners are the most frequent targets. 

Manny Pacquiao has gone so far as to assign a team of lawyers to help victims of this scam. 

If you are stuck going to the Philippines and cannot cancel your trip, try to use another airport other than Manila.

CNN Philippines has offered some suggestions on how to help avoid becoming a victim of this scam. how to avoid being a victim of this scam. 

1. Use hard-case luggage, avoid bags that have external pockets.
2. Wrap your entire luggage in cling wrap.
3. Let the officials go through your bag — but only in the presence of witnesses, a lawyer, and official's supervisor (we here at Expat Fever don't know exactly how this one would work, since most of us don't travel with our lawyers!).
4. You have the right to remain silent.
5. Know your legal rights.

In the meantime, we here at Expat Fever suggest delaying non essential travel to the Philippines until the government can clean up this mess, otherwise you might be spending the majority of your vacation in a Philippine jail. 

We have cancelled our Summer plans to visit until further word that this issue has been resolved. It's a terrible shame because it's a beautiful country with wonderful people.