Bomb Threat Puts 42 Philippine Airports on Heightened Alert

42 commercial airports under the care of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have been put on heightened alert due to a bomb threat. The bomb threat was received via email by the Air Traffic Service.

CAAP says the email claimed “that aircrafts from Manila, bound to Puerto Princesa, Mactan-Cebu, Bicol, and Davao International Airports are about to be set off by a bomb,” per a report. The last four airports are located in provinces outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

More patrols and K9 units have been deployed due to the bomb threat.

Bomb Threat is ‘Currently Under Validation’

Despite the enhanced security, CAAP said that the threat received is still under validation. The Philippines’ Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista also said that there is no expected impact to scheduled flights despite the additional security measure.

“We would like to ensure the traveling public that protocols are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and security,” Secretary Bautista said in a statement. He likewise appeals to the public to cooperate with authorities for their own safety and security.

As of press time, it has not been disclosed who sent the threat. Other information that may have been included in the threat has not been disclosed by authorities either.

Punishable by Law

It is a common sight to see a warning against bomb jokes and false threats when in a Philippine Airport. In fact, this act is actually punishable by law.

Violators can face a penalty of PHP 40,000 (approximately $706) in fines. There is also a possibility that violators can be imprisoned or receive both a prison sentence and a fine.

You can view examples of such warnings shared by ABS-CBN News on X (formerly Twitter) below.

On each entrance to the airport are signs warning the public that a bomb joke or false bomb threat is punishable by law where violators can face imprisonment, a fine of P40,000, or both. | via @raphbosano pic.twitter.com/Q8M2jh7Fba

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 6, 2023