A criminal complaint is being readied against a woman who told airport staff her laptop contained a bomb, with police citing Presidential Decree 1727, the law that penalizes false bomb threats and jokes. The investigation into the incident remains open, according to authorities.
The remark came during what began as a routine request for assistance. While preparing to board a Manila-bound flight at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban on Monday, August 31, the passenger approached a flight attendant after discovering she had left her laptop back in the departure area, the PNP Aviation Security Group said.
Cabin crew relayed the concern to ground personnel, and an airline representative soon tracked down the device and brought it back to its owner. Standard procedure called for the passenger to open the laptop so it could be checked before being handed over. At that point, she said, “Ay, may bomba yan” (Oh, there is a bomb inside).
Security personnel moved quickly once the words were spoken. The woman was placed under standard protocols and advised of her rights under the Miranda Doctrine before being taken into custody.
Authorities described the response as immediate, with the comment setting off an airport security reaction that led directly to her arrest.
