Party-list solon briefly held at Naia for allegedly cracking bomb joke

MANILA, Philippines — A party-list representative was briefly held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 for allegedly cracking a bomb joke, police said Friday.

Maj. Querico Tomotorgo, chief of the Philippine National Police Aviation Station 2, said APEC Rep. Sergio Dagooc was held by airport authorities before his flight to Cagayan de Oro on Thursday afternoon.

The police official explained that Dagooc joked about carrying a bomb inside his luggage when asked about its contents, which exceeded the allowable weight.

“Tinanong siya kung ano ang laman. Nagreply si Rep. Dagooc na damit. Nagfurther ng question [yung duty passenger service agent]: ‘Ano pang mga iba?’ Ang sagot ni Mr. Dagooc, ‘bomba,’” Tomotorgo told radio DZBB.

He said the service agent then reported the incident to her supervisor and the terminal’s security commander, who then brought Dagooc to the Naia Terminal 2 police station.

While Dagooc was being held, his lawyer appeared before airport authorities and cited Article 6 Section 11 of the Constitution saying members of the Congress facing allegations of crimes not punishable by more than six years of imprisonment cannot be arrested while Congress is in session.

Tomotorgo explained they had to release the lawmaker, since making a bomb joke is only punishable by five years of imprisonment and a fine of P40,000.

The police official, however, said it is up to Philippine Airlines if it will pursue a case against Dagooc.

INQUIRER.net has reached Dagooc for comment and he said he would release an official statement soon./jpv