Passengers on a flight to Japan experienced delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 due to a bomb scare that temporarily disrupted travel operations.
A Japan-bound Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight, PR412, was delayed for five hours on Wednesday following a bomb threat call received by airport authorities from an unidentified woman. Passengers were evacuated as authorities conducted security checks before the flight was cleared for departure.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized the seriousness of bomb-related jokes or comments, especially in sensitive environments like airports. Foreign nationals may face exclusion or deportation for such actions, he warned.
In a similar incident in 2023, two travelers were arrested at NAIA after making bomb jokes. One of them, bound for Singapore, made a jest saying, “Chicharon bomba, joke lang,” which prompted airport personnel to alert the police. Authorities urge all travelers to exercise caution and avoid making statements that could be perceived as threats to security.
