MANILA, Philippines — A female passenger traveling to Bangkok was offloaded from her flight for making a bomb joke, the Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) said on Thursday.
The passenger was on board the aircraft on Tuesday evening when the crew instructed passengers to place their carry-on bags in the overhead bins.
She reportedly told a flight attendant, "Palagay na lang kuya sa itaas, medyo mabigat lang at meron kasing dinamita (Please put it up there, brother. It's a bit heavy because it contains dynamite)."
The airline crew immediately alerted the Avsegroup personnel at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. As a result, the passenger was removed from the flight and blacklisted by the airline.
Following the incident, the PNP Aviation Security Explosives Ordnance Disposal and K9 units conducted "clearing and paneling" operations.
The aircraft was eventually declared clear of explosives or incendiary materials, though aviation police reported the flight was delayed by two hours.
Making false bomb threats is a criminal offense under Presidential Decree 1727, punishable by up to five years in prison.
"May this serve as a warning to passengers who do not take the Bomb Joke Law seriously. Even a simple remark can lead to a complicated and stressful situation," said Avsegroup chief PBGen. Dionisio Bartolome Jr.
