Foreigner held for making bomb joke at airport

MANILA, Philippines —  A Manila-bound foreigner was held by the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Unit for making a bomb joke at Dipolog Airport yesterday.

A report received by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the incident occurred before 6 a.m., involving the foreigner and his wife who were about to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila.

The airline staff asked the foreigner about the items in his luggage, to which the passenger responded,  “Just (an) atomic bomb,” before retracting his statement and clarifying, “I was only joking.”

CAAP information officer Karen Villanda said the airline staff approached a security officer to report the incident.

When questioned by authorities, the passenger said his luggage only contained personal items and apologized for his earlier remarks.

Presidential Decree No. 1727 punishes people who make a bomb joke with up to five years in prison and a fine of up to P40,000.