Inmates sleep in the open at Quezon City Jail in Manila, Philippines, November 5, 2016. Many Korean travelers are afraid of being jailed in the country for crimes they haven't committed. Reuters



By Kang Aa-young, Jung Min-ho



In the wake of what appears to be another "bullet planting" scheme ― locally known as tanim bala ― against a Korean in the Philippines, fears are growing among Korean travelers.



It was recently revealed that a Korean missionary, 48, surnamed Baek, became the target of the alleged crime a month ago when he was apprehended over "illegal weapons" he said he had never seen.



Baek, who runs a mission school in the Philippines, insists that Philippine police officers set him up for money. According to the missionary's wife, he is living under inhumane conditions.



If it happened in another country, not many people would believe his claims. But more than 33,000 people are convinced that he is just the latest Korean victim of the notorious crime. They signed a petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website calling on the Korean government to act on such schemes, which Philippine government officials are infamous for.



"I would never visit the Philippines unless I really have to," a 26-year-old woman who lives in Seongnam said. "Think about how scary it would be if police officers, who are supposed to be your protectors, set you up for a crime you have not committed. It could destroy your life and I would not take that risk."



A simple internet search in Korea shows many horrible stories about tanim bala. Many say they had to bribe airport officials to avoid being detained in a crowded, "hell-hole" prison. "If you want to stay out of trouble, one piece of advice is to wrap up your luggage with a plastic cover," one blogger said.



Many Koreans are terrified by the possibility and, following the recent case; fears here appear to be growing fast.



According to local media, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has warned his government officials, especially those who work at airports, not to commit such crimes.



"Immigration officers, if a tourist has already exited their airport and is given so many days to stay (in the Philippines), don't ever approach them, especially the Koreans and the Chinese," Duterte was quoted as saying on June 22 by the Inquirer. "I'm ordering now that you immigration officers and police should not approach any of the tourist in the guise of questioning their stay or (asking for) valid papers."

