A US citizen is facing charges after making a bomb joke on board a flight at Laguindingan Airport, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The incident occurred around 9:42 PM on February 20, during the disembarkation process of flight DG-6723 from Mactan-Cebu, which was carrying 73 passengers.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, stood up to retrieve his baggage and made a threatening remark, saying, “I can shoot you all, and I can trigger the bomb.”
The incident was reported to the aerodrome’s air traffic control for prompt action.
The PNP-Aviation Security Unit and CAAP Security and Intelligence Unit conducted K9 paneling and checked all passengers’ baggage, none of which showed any indication of bombs.
The suspect was interrogated by PNP-AVSEU and is currently detained at the PNP Laguindingan Airport Station to face appropriate charges.
Laguindingan Airport Manager Job De Jesus reminded air travelers about the serious consequences of making bomb jokes.
De Jesus stated:
We consistently emphasize to passengers and airport users that joking or making bomb jokes at the airport or on an airplane is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught will face serious charges, including corresponding penalties and imprisonment.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, bomb jokes are punishable by imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, or a fine of not more than forty thousand pesos (P40,000.00).
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