A 48-year-old man from Dumaguete who was bound for Cebu, was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) last Sunday after allegedly making a bomb joke on a Cebu Pacific flight at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Authorities said the incident happened during boarding procedures when a male passenger allegedly mentioned that his bag was stowed in the overhead bin and that there might be a grenade inside. One of the cabin crew immediately reported the comment of the passenger to the airline and airport security personnel.
A coordinated response was carried out by PNP-AVSEGROUP, together with the MIAA-APD, EOD teams with K9 units, airport fire and medical services and other emergency personnel. Following standard operating procedures (SOP), the aircraft was isolated, while extensive bomb detection procedures were carried out. No explosive or incendiary materials were discovered, and the aircraft was pronounced safe for takeoff.
The suspect is currently in the custody of NAIA Police Station 3, awaiting further legal proceedings.
“Your words carry weight — what may seem like a harmless joke can trigger panic, disrupt operations and endanger lives. Bomb threats, even as jokes, are punishable under Presidential Decree No. 1727, the Anti-Bomb Joke Law,” PNP-AVSEGROUP director PB/Gen. Christopher M. Abecia stated.