Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) arrested a female passenger for allegedly making a bomb-related joke aboard a flight bound for Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
The incident occurred on Monday, Jan. 26, when a cabin crew member assisted her with placing her hand-carry baggage in the overhead bin, she allegedly jokingly said, “Yes. Raise that, or they might say there’s a bomb,” according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEG) in a statement on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The PNP AVSEG added that airport personnel detained her after a routine security check.
Explosion detection units and airport security teams conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft and surrounding areas, but no suspicious items or devices were found.
Criminal complaints are being prepared against the passenger for alleged violation of Article 287 of the Revised Penal Code (Unjust Vexation) and Presidential Decree No. 1727, also known as the “Bomb Joke Law.”
“Passengers must take airport security seriously. Even a mere joke about a bomb is a criminal offense and will be dealt with accordingly,” PNP AVSEG director PBGen Dionisio Bartolome Jr. said.
The passenger is currently under the custody of NAIA Police Station 3.
Details regarding the suspect’s identity and specific charges were not immediately released, as the case remains under review by airport authorities.
𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Carla Peñalosa
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗯𝘆 Joshua LIan Cawilan
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