BOMB THREAT ON TOILET PAPER FOUND IN PLANE’S LAVATORY AT ZAMBOANGA AIRPORT

OPERATION at the Zamboanga International Airport was temporarily halted after a bomb threat was received on Saturday morning.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) , through the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA), promptly responded to a reported bomb threat written on a toilet paper in a Cebu Pacific flight 5J851 from Manila.

Around 8:20 a.m. on Saturday, a cabin crew member conducting a routine inspection following passenger disembarkation discovered a tissue, with a written message “may bomba” (there is a bomb) inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories.

The flight attendant immediately reported the find to the ground security personnel.

Members  of the Aviation Security Unit (AVSEUCU9) swiftly conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft, completing the paneling process at 8:58 a.m. with no explosives found.

At 8:59 a.m., the situation was declared under control, and normal operations at the Zamboanga International Airport resumed.

All passengers were cleared for boarding, and flight activities continued without further disruption.

CAAP reminded the public 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.