Bomb threat written on tissue paper disrupts ops in Zamboanga airport
The bomb threat was written on a tissue paper inside a Cebu Pacific aircraft lavatory. Photo from CAAP/FB
MANILA, Philippines — A bomb threat written on a tissue paper was discovered in an aircraft at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) on Saturday, prompting the airport to temporarily suspend its operations.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a statement that the incident happened at around 8:20 a.m. on Saturday aboard Cebu Pacific flight 5J851 from Manila.
According to the CAAP, as passengers disembarked at around 8:20 a.m., a flight attendant who was conducting a routine inspection discovered a tissue note inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories with the handwritten message “may bomba” (there is a bomb).
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The cabin crew member reported the incident to ground security personnel, “triggering the activation of established aviation security protocols.”
The Aviation Security Unit then conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft.
No explosives were found after completing the paneling process at 8:58 a.m.
Authorities check on the Cebu Pacific flight following a bomb threat Saturday. Photo from CAAP/FB
Cebu Pacific flight disrupted by bomb threat. Photo from CAAP/FB
As a precautionary measure, a paneling operation of the airport’s Passenger Terminal Building was also conducted, the CAAP said.
The situation was declared under control at 8:59 a.m., paving the way for the resumption of normal operations at the ZIA.
“All passengers were cleared for boarding, and flight activities continued without further disruption,” said CAAP.
The agency also emphasized that it is “treating the incident as a serious security concern,” as it warned the public that bomb threats are punishable by law.
“The public is strongly reminded that bomb threats, whether made verbally, in writing, or through any other means are punishable under Presidential Decree No. 1727, which criminalizes the malicious dissemination of false information concerning bombs or explosives,” the CAAP said.
