A Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Zamboanga City received a bomb threat onboard the aircraft on Saturday, June 14.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported that a cabin crew member conducting routine inspection of Cebu Pacific flight 5J851 after landing at the Zamboanga City airport discovered a tissue paper roll inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories with the message “may bomba (There is a bomb onboard).
Flight 5J 851 departed Manila at 6 a.m and arrive here at 7:55 a.m.
The flight attendant reported the incident to airport security personnel who immediately launched security protocols.
Procedures included a thorough inspection of the aircraft and paneling of the airport’s passenger terminal building.
The process was completed at 8:58 a.m. with no explosives found.
The situation was declared under control at 8:59 a.m. and airport operations resumed immediately.
Passengers were cleared for boarding and flight activities continued without further disruption, the CAAP said.
“CAAP is treating the incident as a serious security concern. The public is strongly reminded that bomb threats, whether made verbally, in writing, or through any means, are punishable under Presidential Decree No. 1727, which criminalizes the malicious dissemination of false information concerning bombs or explosives,” the CAAP added.