ILOILO City — A Manila-bound flight was delayed for two hours at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo after a passenger joked about having a grenade in his bag, prompting authorities to conduct a full security check.
The incident occurred on March 4 at around 8:20 p.m. aboard Cebu Pacific Flight 5J460.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Papay, officer-in-charge of the Aviation Security Unit 6 (AVSEU-6), a flight attendant overheard the male passenger’s remark and immediately reported it to the pilot.
The airline then alerted airport authorities, following strict aviation security protocols.
Upon receiving the report, security personnel ordered the immediate deplaning of all 176 passengers to conduct an extensive search of the aircraft and passenger belongings.
After a thorough investigation, authorities confirmed that no explosive device was found allowing the flight to proceed at 10:25 p.m. — two hours after its original schedule.
The passenger, a resident of Iloilo province, was taken into AVSEU-6 custody and now faces criminal charges for violating Presidential Decree 1727 which outlaws the willful spreading of false information or threats about bombs, explosives, or similar destructive devices.
The penalty for violating the decree is prision correccional in its medium period to prision mayor in its maximum period
The penalty could also include a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P5 million.
Authorities have repeatedly warned the public that making bomb jokes in airports or airplanes is a serious offense, as it disrupts operations, causes panic, and endangers public safety./PN
