THE Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group arrested a 50-year-old man bound for Hong Kong after he allegedly made a bomb joke at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The incident occurred on Nov. 10 in the departure area of NAIA Terminal 1.
The Avsegroup said an airline passenger service agent was briefing the man on restrictions covering dangerous goods and electronic devices at the time.
During the briefing, the passenger allegedly said, “Bomb, there’s a bomb in that,” alarming airline staff, according to the Avsegroup.
Aviation security officers and a bomb squad inspected the man’s luggage and the surrounding area, finding no explosives or incendiary materials.
Police took the man into custody and brought him to an airport police station.
Authorities are preparing a criminal complaint against the passenger for violating the anti-bomb joke law, which penalizes the willful dissemination of false bomb threats.
He also faces a complaint for unjust vexation under the Revised Penal Code.
Avsegroup chief BGen. Dionisio Bartolome Jr. said authorities do not take bomb jokes lightly because they cause unnecessary alarm and disrupt airport operations, reiterating the unit’s commitment to protecting travelers.