In Dumaguete City, authorities arrested on Wednesday morning a priest who made a bomb joke inside a Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane.
According to Chief Inspector Ruel Baganes of the Aviation Security Unit, the 69-year-old priest was immediately brought to the airport police station and was placed under investigation.
The joke caused a four-hour delay to the Manila-bound flight. All passengers were forced to leave the plane to allow authorities to probe and search the carrier.
The priest’s baggage was also checked but no bomb was found.
“Kasi yung cabin crew gustong ilagay sa ilalim ng upuan yung bag niya na ang laman is mga pagkain. Yung subject passenger naman, malaki ang respeto niya sa pagkain kaya hindi siya sumunod sa sinabi ng cabin crew which is lately na-irritate yung alleged subject, nakapagsalita siya ng ‘Wag kayong mag-alala, hindi bomba ‘yan, pagkain lang po ‘yan,” Baganes said.
The unnamed priest will face charges for the bomb joke.
Authorities reminded passengers to avoid making bomb jokes when boarding a plane to avoid delays.
“Pag nasa airport po tayo, iwasan po natin ang magbanggit o magbiro ng tungkol sa bomba,” Baganes said.
Under Presidential Decree 1727, offenders can face jail time of four years and a fine of Php40,000.
