A passenger is set to face criminal charges for leaving a “bomb joke” note on a Cebu Pacific flight, as confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap). The note, reading “Bomb??” was found in the aircraft’s lavatory during a flight about to depart from Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay.
The discovery was made by a crew member aboard the Manila-bound flight 5J-326 at 10:45 a.m. as the plane taxied on the runway. In response, the pilot informed the BIA air traffic controller and following safety procedures, the aircraft was directed back to the parking area. All 130 passengers disembarked for security checks.
To ensure safety, Caap security agents and personnel, including canine units from the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group, inspected all luggage. After over three hours of meticulous checks, flights were allowed to continue.
Police Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque assured the public that there was no genuine security threat.
Eric Apolonio, Caap spokesperson, revealed that the prankster, confirmed to be a passenger, will be charged under Presidential Decree No. 1727. Penalties could include a P40,000 fine, five years of imprisonment, or both. Additionally, making a bomb threat, even as a prank, could incur up to 12 years in jail under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The incident led to a temporary halt in operations at BIA, affecting eleven flights and inconveniencing hundreds of travelers. Operations resumed by 1:35 p.m., and the previously delayed flight 5J-326 departed at 2:39 p.m.